The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it has the authority to extend voting hours but will only do so when deemed necessary.

This was the response of Comelec Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco to poll watchdog Kontra Daya’s call to extend voting hours in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, following a five-hour delay in the opening of voting precincts there.

Laudiangco said the poll body will first assess how many people have already cast their votes.

"Second, are there any voters still in line within a 30-meter radius who should be allowed to vote until the end of the voting period, at any time after?" he added.

"Third, after all this, is there still a large portion who are still trying to vote and are unable to? The answers to that question will dictate whether voting hours should be extended," Laudiangco said.

Kontra Daya urged the Comelec to extend voting until 8:00 p.m., one hour past the 7:00 p.m. deadline, after voting officially began around 10:00 a.m.

The delay was reportedly caused by supporters of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), who blocked the distribution of election materials.

According to Comelec data, Datu Odin Sinsuat has over 82,000 registered voters.