Comelec eyes 'isolation polling place' for voters with COVID symptoms on May 9

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is planning to set up isolation polling places for voters who will show COVID-19 symptoms during election day, Commissioner Aimee Torrefranca-Neri said Thursday.

At a press conference, Neri said this is among the measures that the Comelec is considering to ensure that the conduct of the elections will be safe for voters amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are the plans in the pipeline for Comelec in COVID-proofing our 2022 national and local elections. Number 1, Comelec to conduct a public simulation of voting in an isolation polling place (IPP),” she said.

“The IPP is said to be utilized in case a voter should exhibit COVID-19 symptoms or any increase in body temperature so he or she could still vote despite these challenges,” Neri added.

Aside from this, the Comelec is also set to create a medical advisory board to provide additional support in revisiting COVID-related guidelines and develop timely and more responsive policies amid elections.

It will also enter into partnerships with health and medical groups to set up medical desks that would respond to health related issues of voters, specifically those belonging to vulnerable groups, on election day.

According to Neri, the poll body is anticipating around 67.5 million people — or 60% of the country's 112-million population — to go to polling precincts to cast their votes on May 9. —KBK, GMA News