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Comelec wants more VCMs, early voting for seniors, PWDs

June 8, 2021 Lee Ann P. Ducusin 366 views

WITH the adjustments needed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission on Elections asked for more vote counting machines (VCMs) to decongest precincts on election day.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the Comelec is in the bidding process for the purchase of additional VCMs, as she assured that everyone in the vicinity of polling precincts on election day will be able to vote.

“Sa ngayon we are trying to buy more vote counting machines so that there will be only 700 voters in one precinct instead of 1,000. Right now we are bidding, but you know bidding takes three months. Pero sisiguruhin po na lahat ng nasa polling precincts makakaboto. Hindi po magsasara ‘yan habang nakatayo kayo. Kahit gagabihin kayo pwede kayong bumoto,” she said.

Guanzon also supported pending bills in Congress seeking to allow senior citizens and persons with disabilities to cast their vote a week earlier than the May 9, 2022 schedule.

Instead of May 9, senior citizens and PWDs will cast their vote on May 2 or a week earlier.

She added that a bill has been approved at the House of Representatives.

The commissioner explained that those eligible for early voting will apply before the Comelec or online to be included in the list.

Voting will still be done in their respective precincts.

“Iyong pagkuha ng balota, syempre personal. Itatago ang balota ng election officer. Don’t worry, may bantay kami at audit, then sa May 9 ipi-feed na sa vote counting machine. Boboto kayo sa May 2, sa May 9 na mabibilang,” she added.

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