THE total number of registered voters in Pangasinan has reached 1,363,297, reflecting an additional 33,432 voters compared with the record for the 2004 election, making it  one of the  biggest vote-rich provinces in the country, according to data from the Commission on Election.

Lawyer Reddy Balarbar, provincial election supervisor, told The PUNCH that Pangasinenses are known to be good in exercising their electoral rights as in the 2004 election wherein the province posted a high turnout rate of 83%, indicating 1,099,520 votes.

President Gloria Arroyo, who considers herself a Pangasinense as her late mother, former First Lady Eva Macaraeg Macapagal, is from Binalonan town, gathered significant votes here in the 2004 presidential polls while her closest rival, the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., was also a Pangasinense from San Carlos City.

Pangasinan is also the home province of former President Fidel Ramos who has roots in Lingayen and Asingan towns.

This explains why aspirants for national positions painstakingly woo Pangasinan voters during elections, Balarbar said.

Based on the data certified by Balarbar as correct as of February 13, 2007, among the six congressional districts in Pangasinan, the third district composed of the towns of Bayambang, Calasiao, Malasiqui, Mapandan, Sta. Barbara and San Carlos City has the highest number of registered voters with 290,454 in 1,963 precincts.

Pangasinan has 44 towns and four cities. — EVA

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