What You Should Know: 2019 PH Elections Guide

It’s the time of the year except for Christmas that we hear jingles, but this time around campaign tunes of candidates for the May 13 National and Local Elections. Most Filipino voters would already know what to do, but newly registered ones may just be getting the hang of it. So here’s your guide to voting and everything you should know about the upcoming elections.

Here are a few reminders before the actual voting:

The Commission on Elections scheduled the voting to take place from 6am to 6pm. You can vote at anytime on those hours. You know what they say, come early or endure the waiting game (if there is).

Know where your precinct is using Comelec’s precinct finder and check your name at the list near it.

Campaign materials are a big no-no at the voting area so familiarize or have a list of your candidates for your guidance.

Your ballot should be new, no scratches, and untampered.

During the actual voting. Expect for these to happen:

Once you reach the voting area, the Comelec will provide you with a marking pen and a ballot secrecy folder. Use the folder to cover your ballot while you properly shade the circles using the Comelec-provided markers. No unnecessary markings should be in your ballot to ensure that the VCM (Vote Counting Machine) can read your votes.

Remember that nobody else can see your ballots except YOU.

After shading your ballots and casting your votes, approach the VCM and insert the tip of the ballot in the entry slot while most part of it is still covered with the secrecy folder to ensure that no one else sees it.

The machine will flash the names of the candidates you voted for on the screen and wait for the receipt to come out. DO NOT PULL IT OUT. The poll clerk will cut it for you.

Return the marker and the folder to the poll clerk. REMEMBER THAT TAKING OF ELECTION MATERIALS OUT OF THE PRECINCT IS AN OFFENSE.

Your forefinger nail shall be applied with an indelible ink. Then your voter’s receipt shall be handed to you by the poll clerk.

You will then be instructed to approach near the Voter’s Receipt Receptacle. Check your receipt if it reflects the votes you casted on the ballot. If something’s not right, inform the poll clerk and have it recorded in the minutes.

Leave your receipt at the prescribed area of the precinct. Taking it out is also an election offense.

You are done voting.

VOTERS NEEDING ASSISTANCE

Some voters needing assistance, such as persons with disabilities and some senior citizens, can ask for assistance on authorized election workers.

The Commission on Election has the duty to enforce laws relative to the conduct of the elections and ensure the participation of voters needing assistance.

This led to the establishment of Republic Act (RA) 10366 or “An Act Authorizing the Comission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons With Disabilities and Senior Citizens.”