Comelec wants more vote counting machines, early voting for seniors, PWDs

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is in the process of bidding for the purchase of additional vote counting machines to decongest precincts on election day, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said on The Mangahas Interviews.

At the same time, Guanzon backed pending bills in Congress seeking to allow senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to cast their vote a week earlier than the May 9, 2022 schedule.

“Sa ngayon we are trying to buy more vote counting machines so that there will be only 700 voters in one precinct instead of 1,000. Right now we are bidding, but you know bidding takes three months,” she said in Filipino.

The Comelec official assured that everyone in the vicinity of precincts on election day will be able to vote

“Hindi po magsasara ‘yan habang nakatayo kayo.  Kahit gagabihin kayo pwede kayong bumoto,” she said.

She urged local government units to provide chairs to be used by the voters in line.

Early voting

Guanzon said she is also supporting the passage of the bill for the early voting of seniors and PWDs.

The bill has been approved at the House of Representatives, she said.

Instead of May 9, senior citizens and PWDs will cast their vote on May 2 or a week earlier.

Those eligible for early voting will apply before the Comelec or online to be included in the list.  Voting will still be done in their respective precincts.

“Iyong pagkuha ng balota, syempre personal.  Itatago ang balota ng election officer.  Don’t worry, may bantay kami at audit, then sa May 9 ipi-feed na sa vote counting machine.  Boboto kayo sa May 2, sa May 9 na mabibilang,” Guanzon explained.—LDF, GMA News