Local absentee voting in Cebu City goes smoothly

The three-day local absentee voting in Cebu City went smoothly, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“So far, it is going smoothly. No problem encountered so far,” acting Cebu City South District election officer Marilou Paredes told The Freeman Friday morning.

The local absentee voting, the mechanism that allows certain individuals to vote ahead of the actual elections day in May, was held on April 27-29 at

Abellana National School.

Paredes said minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and maintaining social distancing were followed as the officers at the venue ensured that these were strictly implemented.

Narciso Bendulo Jr., Election Assistant II, earlier said those who can vote in the local absentee voting are government officials and employees, members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and media practitioners who are duly registered with the Comelec.

Paredes said as of yesterday morning, almost everyone qualified in the activity were already able to cast their votes.

She, however, is yet to provide the specific number of individuals who participated in the local absentee voting.

“Almost 100% na were able to cast their votes. Sorry we cannot state yet the specific number,” said Paredes.

“All the casted ballots will be sent to the Committee on Local Absentee Voting by fastest means by the PRO-7 (Police Regional Office 7),” she added.

Rommel Villahermosa, assistant principal of Abellana National School, earlier said at least 1,700 people are expected to join local absentee voting over the three days.

There were 12 classrooms serving as voting precincts. Each room can accommodate up to 30 people at a time. —