‘VOTE WISELY’
Over 1.6 million Negrenses are expected to troop voting centers in Negros Occidental to cast their votes today.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Negros Occidental Elections Supervisor Atty. Roberto Salazar encouraged Negrenses to go out and vote.
“Vote early, vote wisely,” Salazar said.
Polling precincts in the province will open today at 6:00 a.m. and will close at 7:00 p.m.
Bringing a valid ID is not necessary, although still encouraged so as to address any issues regarding a voter’s identity or appearance in the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List.
After receiving the ballot, voters must first check that the ballot does not have any pre-shaded or other dubious marks before taking the seat to fill out the ballot.
As part of COVID-19 protocols, voters will also undergo temperature checks prior to entering the polling precinct.
Any voter who exhibits a temperature of more than 37.5 degrees celsius will first be told to sit down for a few minutes.
If a voter still exhibits above normal temperature, he or she will still be allowed to cast his or her votes, but in an isolation polling precinct.
Voters will also be required to wear a facemask at all times, and since the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts sunny weather for most of the province on Election Day, voters are told to bring drinking water and a fan to avoid heat stroke.
To ensure a quicker casting of ballots, voters are encouraged to bring a piece of paper with the list of candidates he or she will vote for.
Comelec is also reminding voters not to wear masks or clothing with the names and faces of candidates, and also don’t take pictures of the ballot or take selfies inside the voting precinct.
Also, do not make unnecessary marks on your ballot, as any intended or unintended markings that voters make in the ballot do not guarantee an immediate replacement./