Voting underway in Philippines election that pits dictator’s son in opposition to rights lawyer
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Voting was underway within the Philippines Monday to elect a brand new president, with the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos the favorite to win the high-stakes race and restore his household to the head of energy.
Polls opened at 6:00 am (2200 GMT Sunday), AFP reporters mentioned. Voting was to proceed till 7:00 pm.
Practically 40 years after his father was deposed and the household chased into exile, Ferdinand Marcos Junior seems to be set to finish their outstanding political comeback.
Ten candidates are vying to succeed President Rodrigo Duterte within the elections seen by many as a make-or-break second for Philippine democracy.
However solely Marcos Jr and his rival Leni Robredo, the incumbent vice chairman, are seen as having an opportunity of successful.
Individuals sporting masks started queuing earlier than daybreak to forged their votes outdoors main faculties and different venues used as polling stations throughout the huge archipelago.
Turnout is anticipated to be excessive among the many greater than 65 million Filipinos eligible to vote in elections.
Greater than 60,000 safety forces have been deployed to guard ballots and election employees.
The Philippines has a violent political tradition however there have been no instant experiences of incidents on election day.
After a bitter marketing campaign season, polls confirmed Marcos Jr heading for a landslide. He had a double-digit lead over Robredo within the newest surveys and she is going to want a low turnout or a late surge of help to recover from the road.
Within the Philippines the winner solely has to get extra votes than anybody else.
Since Robredo introduced her bid for the highest job in October, volunteer teams have mushroomed throughout the huge archipelago searching for to persuade voters to again what they see as a battle for the nation’s soul.
However relentless whitewashing of the elder Marcos’s brutal and corrupt regime, help of rival elite households and public disenchantment with post-Marcos governments have fuelled the scion’s recognition.