ILOILO City – The number of polling precincts here for the May 9, 2022 elections rose to 505 from the previous 407.
The increase aims to declog of voters the precincts and reduce the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission, said Commission on Elections (Comelec) Iloilo City election assistant Jonathan Sayno.
Iloilo City has 330,470 registered voters.
From what used to be 1,000 voters per precinct, it’s going to be 800 per precinct now. The reduction will ensure physical distancing among voters, said Sayno.
By the third or fourth week of February, Comelec may already be able to post the certified list of registered voters per precinct in various schools, he added.
“Para ang mga botante, aware kag familiar na sila sang ila voting place nga sudlan,” said Sayno.
Aside from observing physical distancing inside polling precincts, voters will be required to wear facemask.
In a related development, candidates here signed a covenant for peaceful, fair and honest elections.
According to Sayno, the signing on Wednesday was not mandator but encouraged.
“They must be responsible sa pagpatigayon sang ila kampanya. Peaceful. Mangin professional. Indi mag gamit sang armas, pamahog, kwarta or vote-buying,” Sayno said.
The signing was organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“Dapat mangin peaceful kag safe ang pagpatigayon sang election bangod ara kita sa panahon sang pandemic,” said Sayno./PN
