Majority of voters in the Sept. 17 Maguindanao plebiscite voted "yes" to split the province.

Based on the official Canvass of the Plebiscite Provincial Board of Canvassers, the total number of "yes" votes was at 706,558 (99.27 percent) while the "no" votes totalled 5,209 (0.73 percent).
The total number of voters who actually voted was at
711,767 out of 818,790 or 86.93 percent.
"Resoundingly, the creation of the two provinces of Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur had long been hoped for by the Maguindanaoans and their elected leaders," Comelec Spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said in a statement Sunday, Sept. 18.
"This dream has now become a reality with the success of the plebiscite and the ratification of Republic Act No. 11550," he added.
With this development, Maguindanao del Norte will be composed up of Barira, Buldon, Datu Blah Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Kabuntalan, Matanog, Northern Kabuntalan, Parang, North Upi, Sultan Kudarat, Sultan Mastura, and Talitay.
Under Maguindanao del Sur are Ampatuan, Buluan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Hoffer Ampatuan, Datu Montawal, Datu Paglas, Datu Piang, Datu Salibo, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Unsay, Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun, Guindulungan, Mamasapano, Mangudadatu, Pagalungan, Paglat, Pandag, Rajah Buayan, Shariff Aguak, Shariff Saydona Mustafa, Sultan sa Barongis, Talayan, and South Upi.