Sample ballots given on election day still a form of campaigning —Comelec

Giving voters sample ballots on election day is still a form of campaigning and goes against rules for the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, Commission on Election (Comelec) Commissioner Luie Guia said Thursday.

"Nakikita nga po natin na maraming ganu'n papasok sa mga eskwelahan. Hindi po pwede 'yun at dahil pangangampanya ang dating noon," Guia explained in an interview on Unang Balita.

Instead of accepting these sample ballots, voters must prepare their own list of candidates and use it as a guide, Guia said.

"Mas maganda kung 'wag tanggapin, at 'yun nga, ang sinasabi namin, sila na mismo ang gumawa ng sariling kodigo," he said.

Guia reminded voters aged 18 to 30 that they will have two ballots come the May 14 polls: one printed in red for the SK elections, and one printed in black for the barangay elections.

Electoral board members will have a list of names of voters marked according to their qualification to vote for one or both categories. Any government-issued ID can be used as identification for voters.

Instances of names spelled wrong will be accepted as valid votes though Guia advised voters to practice spelling their candidates' names to avoid confusion.

"Tatanggapin naman po basta makita sa isinulat 'yung intensyon nu'ng botante kung sino 'yung kanilang iboboto, kaya mas makakatulong sa ating mga botante na pag-aralan bago pumunta ng botohan kung paano nila isusulat," Guia said.

Older voters and persons with disabilities will have accessible or exclusive polling places should they wish to vote there. Those who wish to vote in their usual precincts will have special accommodations.

Because new election laws no longer mandate teachers to serve as board of election tellers, the Comelec has trained police to carry out election proceedings in case there are no teacher volunteers in election hotspots.

"Kung talagang mahihirapan, 'yung ating Philippine National Police are being trained to possibly replace them kung sa kahuli-huliang panahon ay wala po tayong makuha dahil sa kalagayan," Guia said. —Rie Takumi/KG, GMA News