{"id":5836,"date":"2016-05-06T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2016-05-06T01:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/?p=5836"},"modified":"2016-05-05T18:50:58","modified_gmt":"2016-05-05T10:50:58","slug":"election-reminders-for-voters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/2016\/05\/06\/election-reminders-for-voters\/","title":{"rendered":"Election Reminders for Voters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">Outside of representing the Philippines in the international stage, voting may be one of the few things we can do to help our country. With the polls just 3 days away, here are a few things to keep in mind on May 9:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5838\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2016\/05\/shutterstock_230788162-1.jpg\" alt=\"shutterstock_230788162\" width=\"320\" height=\"218\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><em>DO\u2019S AND DON\u2019T\u2019S. Making your vote count involves more than just voting. Photo courtesy of <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/e-lected.blogspot.com\/2015\/07\/the-philippines-2016-general-elections.html\"><em>E-lected<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Before May 9<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Familiarize yourself with the voting process. <\/em>Videos about the election process are literally everywhere: TV, radio, print, and social media. There is absolutely no excuse to not be familiar with the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Have your list of candidates ready. <\/em>To speed up the voting process, it\u2019s best to have a list of who you are voting for in hand. It saves time both for you and the person next in line at your precinct. Speaking of which,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Know where your precinct is ahead of time. <\/em>Apart from the actual marking of the ballot and lining up, having to look for your precinct is where people waste most of their time. Clueless about your precinct? Visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.comelec.gov.ph\/?r=VoterRegistration\/RegistrationStatusVerification\/precinct_finder\">Comelec&#8217;s Precinct Finder site<\/a> to know where you should be lining up on May 9. You can also call their voter care center at 02-525-9296.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>On May 9: Before you vote<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Come early.<\/em> Voting starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. That\u2019s 11 hours to vote.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Make sure you\u2019re in the right place. <\/em>A list of voters will be posted outside the polling precinct (i.e. the classroom you\u2019ll be voting in). Check if your name is there. If it\u2019s not, go to the assistance desk and ask them where you should be voting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Make sure your ballot is new and unmarked. <\/em>Tampered ballots cannot be used to vote.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 No need for a marker.<\/em> Comelec will provide the marker and the folder for you to use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Actual voting<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 No one may see your ballot. <\/em>You\u2019re not taking an exam that you need to pass, so a peak at your seatmate\u2019s ballot is not necessary, even if he or she is your close friend. That\u2019s where the Ballot Secrecy Folder comes in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Shade properly. <\/em>Ideally, you\u2019d like to stay within the oval next to your chosen candidate. It\u2019s fine if you go a little bit beyond the oval; just make sure it stays within that candidate\u2019s box.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Keep your ballot pristine.<\/em> This means no smudges or tears on your ballot. Don\u2019t crumple it, unless you want to waste your vote.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Approach the VCM <\/em>once you\u2019ve filled up your ballot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Insert your ballot in the VCM entry slot.<\/em> Wait for the machine to flash the names of your candidates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>While waiting, you can <em>return the folder and the pen<\/em> to the poll clerk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>The VCM will flash the names of who you voted for. Your voter\u2019s receipt will also be printed. <em>Wait for the poll clerk to cut it for you<\/em>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>Have your forefinger nail marked with indelible ink. The poll clerk will hand you the voter\u2019s receipt after.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>Proceed to the Voter\u2019s Receipt Receptacle located beside the VCM. Check your receipt before putting it in: it has to match your ballot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>If you have any objections, inform the poll clerk immediately. Have it noted in the minutes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>Once you\u2019re done voting, <em>leave the precinct<\/em>. It\u2019s not a mall for you to hang out in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>For PWDs and illiterate voters<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>Persons with disabilities (PWDs) and illiterate voters may only vote if it is shown on the Election Day Computerized Voter\u2019s List.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>They may only be assisted by the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u203a A relative within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u203a A trusted person who belongs to the same household.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u203a Any member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u203a The poll clerk should verify if the person assisting the PWD or illiterate voter is authorized by the voters themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u203a The person voting for the PWD or illiterate voter should use the ballot secrecy voter or voting booth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u203a Under oath, the person assisting must promise that he or she will strictly follow the instructions of the voter. He or she will be asked to sign a document.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u203a For PWDs, illiterate voters, and senior citizens, headphones will be provided so they can follow instructions when inserting their ballot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>PWD-friendly precincts<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>All precincts for PWDs and seniors should be located on the ground floor and near the entrance of the building. It should also be free of physical barriers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>All necessary services for PWDs and senior citizens should be provided in the precinct.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>BEIs should have a separate area in the precinct specifically for PWDs and senior citizens, including an express lane. Heavily pregnant women and detainees should also be allowed to use this lane.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 <\/em>Indigenous peoples from remote locations are also allowed to use the express lane, but may choose not to.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong>Things you should NOT do<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Do not use your mobile phone while inside the precinct. <\/em>This is to prevent vote-buying and vote-selling. That means no selfies with your ballot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Leave your voter\u2019s receipt in the receptacle, <\/em>unless you want to go to jail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 No souvenirs. <\/em>The ballot secrecy folder and marking pen are Comelec property.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><em>\u2022 Do not delay the voting process.<\/em> It causes headaches for everyone else, so just don\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt\"><strong><em>Source:<\/em><\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.rappler.com\/nation\/politics\/elections\/2016\/129474-guide-how-to-vote-in-the-philippines\"><em>Rappler<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.philstar.com\/headlines\/2016\/05\/01\/1578733\/comelec-voters-bring-list-preferred-candidates-save-time\"><em>Philstar.com<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Outside of representing the Philippines in the international stage, voting may be one of the few things we can do to help our country. With the polls just 3 days away, here are a few things to keep in mind on May 9: \u00a0 DO\u2019S AND DON\u2019T\u2019S. Making your vote count involves more than just voting. Photo courtesy of E-lected. \u00a0 Before May 9 \u2022 Familiarize yourself with the voting process. Videos about the election process are literally everywhere: TV, radio, print, and social media. There is absolutely no excuse to not be familiar with the process. \u2022 Have your list of candidates ready. To speed up the voting process, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5838,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[95],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature-story"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2016\/05\/shutterstock_230788162-1-e1462445419519.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5836"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5839,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5836\/revisions\/5839"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}