Voters with COVID-19, misspelled names can still vote — Comelec exec

An official of the Commission on Elections said Thursday that voters with COVID-19 as well as those with misspelled names are still allowed to vote in the coming May 9 elections.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Commissioner George Garcia was asked if COVID-19 patients will be allowed to vote in an isolation polling place, an area dedicated for voters with symptoms.

“Puwede po basta sila ay papayagang makalabas doon sa kung sila ay naka-isolate lalong-lalo na kung sila ay nasa isang isolation facility (They can vote as long as they are allowed to get out of isolation facilities),” he said.

“Of course, hindi namin po, wala po kaming guidelines kung saan ang balota ay dadalhin mismo sa isolation facilities (We have no guidelines where the ballots will be delivered to isolation facilities),” he added.

Even for those voters with COVID-19 who are just isolating at their home, Garcia said the Comelec has no policy that prohibits them from casting their vote.

“Also possible po na yung mismong kababayan natin na maaaring may COVID-19 ay nasa kanilang bahay-bahay ay doon na lang sila naka-isolate kapag ho ganun, kahit po may COVID, wala naman po sa aming patakaran na hindi sila pabobotohin,” he said.

(Also it is possible that for those voters who might have COVID-19 isolating in their homes, and even those with COVID-19, we have no policy that they will be prohibited from voting.)

Garcia said voters with symptoms or COVID-19 should wear face masks and face shields, and be cautious in interacting with people on election day to prevent the spread of the disease.

“Lalo pa sa inyong palagay, kung meron na talagang test result na kayo po ay may COVID-19, mas magandang bigyan ninyo ng proteksyon din yung ibang tao na makakasalamuha niyo para maiwasan natin ito po ay kumalat,” he said.

(Especially if you think, if there is already a test result that you have COVID-19, better if you will also give protection to the people that you will  interact with to avoid its spread.)

The Department of Health (DOH), however, has advised voters exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms to stay at home and refrain from going out during Election Day.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOH has always advised those having symptoms to self-regulate by staying at home to avoid transmitting the virus to others.

Wrong spelling 

Meanwhile, Garcia added that voters with wrong spelling of names in Comelec’s online precinct finders would still be allowed to vote in May 9 polls.

“Makakaboto po, huwag po kayong mag-alalala (They can still vote, do not worry),” he said.

He advised voters with this concern to report it to the Comelec’s information and technology department through the Commission's website. — RSJ, GMA News