Political news , opinions and views for 2010 Presidential election

March 19, 2010

Voters told: Know your precinct, list bets before voting

by Anna Valmero (INQUIRER.net)
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100319-259584/Voters-told-Know-your-precinct-list-bets-before-voting

MANILA, Philippines—An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) urged voters to know their clustered precincts and prepare a list of their candidates ahead of the May automated polls to prevent delays and long queues.

“We encourage our voters to know their clustered polling precincts and have a list of their preferred candidates with their corresponding numbers so they can finish voting early on May 10 and avoid long lines, especially during the time near the close of polls at 6p.m.,” said Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.

Voters can inquire now about their clustered polling precinct with the Election Officer or Election Assistant at the Comelec office of their municipality, city or district where they are registered, said the poll official.

On Election Day, voters can proceed to help desks of the accredited citizen's arm Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) to be stationed in all polling places nationwide. Comelec partnered with PPCRV for the conduct of the May 10 polls.

By April, voters would receive their voter information sheet (VIS) in a form of a sample ballot, which would contain the voter's name, clustered precinct and name of the polling place or school. The VIS is an exact replica of the official ballot to be filled up by voters, containing the list of national and local candidates minus the security features.

“Voters can use the VIS or sample ballots that would be mailed by mid-April to practice shading the ovals as a means of voting. The filled-up sample ballot is the only “kodigo” or list of candidates that Comelec will allow to be carried by the voter inside the polling precinct, nothing else,” said Larrazabal.

If a voter wishes to create a list of his preferred candidates this early, Larrazabal said that voters must know the full name and assigned number of the candidate or party list group to avoid confusion and errors among candidates with the same surname, said Larrazabal.

“A voter should know the name and assigned number of the candidate. When they shade the ovals opposite the candidates' name, they cannot make mistakes because the marker pen has permanent ink so they should be sure that they are voting the right candidate,” said the poll official.

The list of senators include two bets with the same surname, Emilio Mario Osmeña of Promdi party, who is listed as senatorial candidate number 39 and independent candidate Sergio "Serge" Osmeña III, listed as candidate number 40.

As a last reminder, Larrazabal said voters must take care not to fold or put spurious marks on the ballots, which might compromise the security markings and invalidate the ballot.

To practice shading the special paper ballot, download a sample form at INQUIRER.net

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