As the 2022 national elections draw near, first-time voters may be wondering how elections would be done amidst the pandemic.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reported a total of 67.5 million registered voters this year, with 5 million of them being first-time voters.
And if you are one of those first-time voters, here’s a guide on what you need to do before and during the election on May 9, 2022:
Before Election Day
1. Research
Watch debates, interviews, and campaign rallies or you can visit Vote Pilipinas to know what the candidates have done and will do if elected because you'll be voting for our country's next leaders, it's important that you do your research thoroughly.
2. Create your 'KODIGO'
Prepare a list or kodigo of who you will vote for on election day. Having a kodigo can speed up the process, thus, you won’t need to stay in the room for too long.
3. Make sure you know when and where to vote
The 2022 National Elections will happen on May 9, 2022, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. You are assigned to a precinct when you registered to vote, and if you forgot the polling place and precinct number, you can visit Precinct Finder to know where you will vote.
4. Prepare your face mask, alcohol, and ballpen
During Election Day (Source: Vote Pilipinas)
1. Have your temperature checked before entering the voting center.
Those with COVID-19 symptoms are allowed to vote. There will be an isolation polling facility in precincts for those who show symptoms.
COMELEC encourages voters with symptoms to wear a face mask and face shield for added protection.
2. Proceed to the Voters’ Assistance Desk (VAD) to secure your precinct and sequence numbers and assigned room or clustered precinct.
3. Go to your assigned room and introduce yourself to the Electoral Board by stating your name, precinct, and sequence numbers.
4. Get your ballot, ballot secrecy folder, and marking pen and fill out the ballot at the voting area.
5. Accomplish the ballot by fully shading the oval appearing before the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. Do not overvote.
6. Feed the ballot into the Vote Counting Machine (VCM).
7. Check your voter's receipt and then deposit it in the receptacle.
8. Have your right forefinger nail stained with indelible ink.
Voting matters
"Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions" is one of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Every person over the age of 18 has the right to vote and choose government officials. They have the ability to make their opinions known simply by completing the registration process.
We cannot hope for sustainable development without peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law, and also one of the the first steps is choosing our rightful leaders. (PIA-NCR)
