Election, law enforcement officials finalize security prep for polls

ELECTION officials in Cebu Province met with police and military officials on Monday, May 2, 2022, to finalize security preparations for the upcoming elections next week.

The meeting, which was held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Cebu City, aims to prepare security personnel on possible scenarios that could occur during the May 9 elections.

Lawyer Jerome Brillantes, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu Province acting election supervisor, said accurate and strict implementation of security must be implemented as a measure to prevent disorder that could hamper the election proceedings in Cebu’s various localities.

Brillantes said the local police and military will also serve as security for poll officers who will be delivering the vote counting machines (VCMs) and election paraphernalia to Cebu Province’s towns and municipalities.

Brillantes is confident that the Comelec and its partner agencies are already 100 percent ready.

“We are 100 percent ready (for) the upcoming election(s). We are just waiting for May 9,” Brillantes said.

A total of 4,773 VCMs arrived in the province in April. The testing and sealing of these VCMs is expected to start on Thursday, May 5.

Meanwhile, voters are reminded to plan ahead on what time they will cast their votes as a way to avoid inconveniences in their polling precincts on May 9.

Brillantes has urged voters to avoid voting at the last minute. Polling places will open at 6 a.m. and end at 7 p.m.

He has also reminded voters to observe health protocols when they are at the polling places such as wearing of face masks and observing social distancing.