Castillano favors holding area for voters at precincts

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Election Officer Lionel Marco Castillano believes a holding area at each precinct wherein voters can be briefed on the voting process prior to the actual casting of ballots would be beneficial especially to those living in remote areas.

Castillano said the holding area is beneficial because not all places are expected to be reached by voter’s education. The decision, however, lies on the Board of Election Inspectors.

“Well, di man gyud tanan ma-reach sa atong voter’s education so depende na sa atong mga BEI’s kung magbutang sila ug holding area and mag-conduct ug brief seminars sa mga voters while waiting. That will be part of their precinct management,” Castillano said.

The Commission on Elections has yet to start its voter’s education campaign, as election officers assigned to conduct information dissemination on the new poll system are still undergoing training.

Yesterday, the mock elections in Cebu were held at the Bulacao Community School in barangay Bulacao and Mabini Integrated School in barangay Mabini, Cebu City. The exercise was successful and received positive feedback from those who participated in the dry run.

Rodolfo Alfante, 65, a resident of Mabini and one of those randomly chosen to participate in the mock elections, said the new system is easier than the previous elections because he no longer had to write all the names of his chosen candidates.

His only problem, he said, is his bad eyesight, which hampers him from reading the names of the candidates clearly.

Another senior voter, 84-year-old Loreto Jayme whose ballot was rejected by the machine at first try because he was unable to properly shade the ovals, said he also found the poll automation easier.

Castillano said voters with problem on eyesight like Alfante will be considered persons with disabilities and are entitled of assistance.

Castillano assured him that the machines will be tested three days prior to the elections to ensure that they are working. After testing, the machines would reportedly be sealed so nobody will lay a hand on them.

Before the first voter feeds his or her ballot into the machine on election day, the PCOS will again be tested wherein an initial election return will be printed. Castillano said the initial election return must reflect a zero vote count to ensure that there are no stored votes in the system. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO    (FREEMAN NEWS)