Application for local absentee voting until March 7

Those who wish to apply for Local Absentee Voting (LAV) privilege for the May 9 polls have until March 7 to do so, according to a resolution issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10003, LAV is for civil servants who would be temporarily assigned to perform election duties on election day in places where they are not registered as voters.

In the case of registered voters from the media, they can avail of the privilege if they believe they would not be able to vote due to the strict demand of their tasks of covering the elections.

Also entitled to the privi- lege are other media practitioners, including those in the technical and support staff who are actively engaged in the pursuit of information gathering and reporting or distribution.

Government officials and employees as well as members of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are also allowed to apply for LAV.

They can file their applications before their “heads of offices/supervisors, commanders/officers next-in-rank.”

In its resolution, Comelec said LAV voters can only vote for candidates running for national positions, namely: president, vice- president, senators and party-list organization. Voting shall be on April 27, 28 and 29.

The Comelec stressed that only those with active voter’s registration can avail of LAV.

“In case of voting of government officials and employees, members of the AFP and PNP, the heads of offices/supervisors/commanders or officers next- in- rank shall, not later than April 12, 2016, designate the place of voting where the voters shall converge to vote,” the Comelec added.

Media voters can cast their votes at Comelec offices where they filed their application.