Voters visit precincts ahead of election day

Several registered voters visited the schools where their polling precincts were  located a day before the national and local elections on Monday, May 9.

According to Jonathan Andal’s report on “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday, voters said they went to the schools early to find their exact polling precincts.

“Para bukas hindi na po ang mahirapan maghanap ng room kung saan po ako pwede bumoto,” said a voter.

(It will no longer be difficult to find my precinct tomorrow.)

Monique, who is a first-time voter, said she carefully studied the credentials and track records of each candidate she would vote for.

“Kinakabahan po ako kasi ito na po ‘yung magdidikta sa magiging future ko. Nag-research po ako sa bawat credentials and track records po and backgrounds po ng bawat kandidato,” she said.

(I am nervous because this is what will dictate my future. I researched the credentials and track records and backgrounds of each candidate.)

The Commission on Elections earlier reported that there were 4,094,614 new voters aged 18 to 21 years old.

The majority of new registrants belonged to the 21-year-old age group with 750,578 males and 796,891 females.

“Mahalaga ‘yung boses lalo namin mga kabataan kasi ito po ‘yung magdidikta sa magiging future namin,” a youth said.

(Our voice is important, especially for us youths, because this will dictate our future.)

Importance of voting

Meanwhile, voters also underscored the importance of voting for the new leaders of the country.

“Importante yung boto ko para may pagbabago naman ang ating bansa. Kasi parang lugmok ngayon lalo na biglang dumating ‘yung pandemic,” a voter said.

(My vote is important for our country to change. Because it seems that our country is in a bad state, especially when the pandemic happened.)

“Isa lang ang boto ko pero papantay po ako. Walang mayaman o mahirap bukas pagdating ng eleksyon,” another voted added.

(I only have one vote, but I will be an equal. There will be no rich or poor when it comes to elections.)

Further another one said, “Tayo ang pinaka-makapangyarihan bukas, lalo na sa botohan. Tayo ang magdedesisyon para sa ating sarili.”

(We will be the most powerful tomorrow, especially in voting. We will decide for ourselves.)

The Comelec said at least 65.5 million voters are expected to cast their ballots during Eleksyon 2022.

Teachers are ready

On the other hand, teachers who will serve as poll workers have prepared the list of voters and made boxes for the vote receipts.

“Yun ang dapat pinapakiusap na dapat ‘yung mga botante maaga silang bumoto para hindi kami magahol sa oras kapag transmission,” a teacher said. “At saka yung mga poll watchers po sana ay hindi rin sila magulo kapag nag-print na.”

(We are asking voters to vote early so we have enough time for the transmission. Also, we hope that the poll watchers aren't too rowdy when we start the printing.)

The Department of Education said that about 647,812 teaching and non-teaching DepEd personnel will render poll service on Monday. — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News