Teachers to undergo training before serving in May elections

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City assistant Comelec officer Mariella Remuruza said teachers that will serve in the May 13 polls will be trained on March 3 on the automated election system so as to acquaint them with the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines.

Remuruza said there are eight teachers in-charge that will serve as PCOS technicians.

At least 392 teachers will compose the Board of Election Officers during the management of elections this year.

Teachers numbering 76,000 will be assigned to clustered precincts for the country’s first nationwide poll automation exercise.

Before they become official BEIs, the teachers have to undergo and pass an examination by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to prove they are Information Technology (IT)-capable.

The teachers’ training was originally scheduled in January, but due to delays, it was moved to March.

The official list of registered voters for the May 13 polls can also be checked at the respective barangays, according to city election officer Corazon Moran, saying that they have already distributed to the barangays the voters’ list and is preparing to post this in designated polling precincts.

Moran said the early distribution of names in the barangays and posting will serve as guide and reference for the city voters and for them to be ensured that their names are included in the list.

If in case a voter fails to find his or her name in the voters’ list, they can proceed to the Comelec office for inquiry and assistance.

Per record from the City Comelec, there are 128 polling centers in the city with 617 clustered precincts.

The total number of registered voters in the city for the May 2013 elections is 111, 696.

The present count increased by 17,540, compared to those listed for the May 2010 elections which had 94,156 registered voters. (FREEMAN)