Vaccination sites in polling precincts may confuse voters

MANILA – Putting up COVID-19 vaccination sites in polling precincts on election day may confuse voters and make them think that immunization is a requirement to vote.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia said this Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) earlier mulled setting up vaccination sites near polling precincts.

“Personally, as a member of the commission, mukhang hindi po yata tama sa akin pong palagay with all due respect po sa DOH,” he said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum when asked on his comment on the matter.

“Malilito po ang botante. Bakit po malilito? Malilito po ang botante baka akala po na para makaboto ka, kinakailangan na magpabakuna ka muna or at the same time baka sabihin po ng mga botante, requirement pala ‘yung pagbabakuna baka matakot po ‘yung iba na pumunta lalo pa’t ‘ yung mga unvaccinated,” he pointed out.

Garcia noted that voting should be prioritized as it is a constitutional right of the people.

As of May 1, there are 67.9 million individuals in the country who are fully vaccinated against COVID- 19.