One of the voting centers in Bangued, Abra, caught fire Wednesday morning, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia reported to the media that 70 percent of the Dadangla voting center has been destroyed by the fire.
Garcia said automated counting machines (ACM) have not yet been delivered to the area, so final testing and sealing are temporarily canceled.
"Dadangla [Elementary School] caters only to one polling place, thus only one is involved," the Comelec chief said.
Garcia said two buildings remain unaffected and in operation. They will be used as priority polling places and administrative/holding/storage areas.
There are 35,227 registered voters in Bangued, Abra; meanwhile, 992 voters were listed to vote at the affected building, according to the poll body.
"Given these, plus the clear instructions to erect makeshift polling centers based on the continuity (contingency) plan, elections will proceed as scheduled on May 12, 2025," Garcia assured.
Early voting hours for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities will also proceed as scheduled from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Meanwhile, regular voting hours will be from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.