Absentee voting for media, Comelec now accepts application

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Election (Comelec) is now accepting applications from media practitioners who wish to participate in the local absentee voting for the upcoming May 2013 elections.

The Comelec will be receiving applications until March 31.

The voting days are set on April 28, 29 and 30.

Comelec Resolution 9637 stated that local absentee voting may be availed by government officials and employees, members of the Philippine National Police, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and members of the media, including their technical and support staff.

It is stated in the resolution that media practitioners would need to apply first to participate in the absentee voting.

Atty. Ferdinand Gujilde, Comelec 7 said that a media practitioner who wishes to take part in the absentee voting must be a registered voter.

The inclusion of media practitioners in the absentee voting was pushed because in previous elections, most mediamen failed to vote as they are assigned in areas far from where they are registered resulting in the deactivation of their registration.

Gujilde said that one should also secure and fill out application forms for absentee voters from the office of Provincial Election Supervisors or election officers.

With the application form would be an attached certification from one’s media outlet indicating that his assignment during the elections will prevent him from voting in the precinct where he is registered to vote.

The applications will be forwarded to Comelec Central Office in Manila for verification and approval.

If approved, media practitioners can vote between April 28 and 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Comelec office where they filed their application.

But they can only vote for party-lists and senatorial positions and they cannot use the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines.

After the voting period, the ballots will be placed in sealed envelopes and will be sent Comelec Manila. — (FREEMAN)