BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Over 1.6 million Negrenses are expected to troop to polling centers today to cast their votes.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Negros Occidental elections supervisor Atty. Roberto Salazar encouraged Negrenses to exercise their right to suffrage.
“Vote early, vote wisely,” Salazar said.
Polling precincts will open today at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.
Bringing a valid identification card is not necessary although still encouraged so as to address issues that may arise such as voter’s identity or appearance / nonappearance in the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List.
After receiving the ballot, voters must – before taking a seat to fill out the ballots – first check that these do not have any pre-shaded ovals or other dubious marks, said Salazar.
As part of the coronavirus health safety protocols, voters will undergo temperature checks prior to entering the polling precinct.
Any voter who exhibits a temperature of more that 37.5 degrees Celsius will be told to sit down for a few minutes.
If a voter still exhibits above normal temperature, he or she will still be allowed to cast his or her vote but in an isolation polling precinct, said Salazar.
Voters will also be required to wear facemask at all times, and since the weather forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration is sunny weather for most of the province on Election Day, voters are advised to bring drinking water and a fan to avoid heat stroke.
To ensure a quicker casting of ballots, voters are encouraged to bring a piece of paper with the list of candidates they intend to vote, said Salazar.
Do not wear masks or clothing with the names and faces of candidates, and also don’t take pictures of the ballot or take selfies inside the voting precinct, he added.
Also do not make unnecessary marks on the ballot as any intended or unintended markings that voters make in the ballot do not guarantee an immediate replacement, said Salazar./PN
