What To Do On Election Day

Nothing can stop now for the May 10 first ever automated election in the country. The Supreme Court had squashed all the petitions to stop the automated election on Monday and  go back to manual voting system or at least postpone it for at least two weeks.

We will be  making a history when we go to the precinct  and make our votes. And since this is the first time the country is conducting automated elections, it would be a good idea to make a list of simple tips of dos and don’ts. 

  

 On Election Day

1. Be cool! Wear loose and  comfortable clothing to the polling place. Not only the atmosphere will be hot but the temperature as well. And imagine those thousands of people will gonna flock to vote in that day.

2. Early bird catches the early worm. Go out early. Voting time is from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a 1000 voters or more in every clustered precincts. So expect long lines may be formed towards the latter part of the day. A long line coupled with the sweltering heat that we have all been experiencing the past few weeks may discourage other  from voting.

3. Make a full egg-shape oval. You will be provided a ballot, a ballot secrecy folder and marking pen by one of  the Board of Election Inspectors (and checked if official ballot is free from all markings and stains and not been deformed in any way). FULLY shade the oval beside the name of the candidates of your choice. 

3. Undervote is yes but no-no for the overvote. Be sure to understand that the machine will not count your votes in the senatorial spot if you shade more than 12. Eleven is accepted but 13 is not. One for president and not two or your vote for the president will not be counted.

4. Cheating?  Okay, “kodigo” is a not allowed in school. But it is highly encouraged in this election (with that meter or more long ballot which we will be using).  Indeed, you should already write the names of the candidates best for you before you head for the polling place.

5. Diz iz it! After accomplishing the ballot, the voter shall then insert it inside the PCOS machine. Be careful that the ballot is not CRUMPLED, STAINED OR DEFACED in any major way. The voter should make sure that the ballot is successfully accepted by the machine. The ballot will then be dropped in a translucent ballot box.

6. Not once, twice and thrice. You are allowed to insert your ballots four times if ever the machine does not accept your ballot. So maximize it. If at first it is not been accepted, try the other end of the ballot to be inserted first. If again not, flip it and try again. Do not insert your ballot twice using the same end for you have only 4 times to do it. If after the fourth you fail, it will not be counted anymore but you can file a protest and the BEI will take it as a note to their minutes.   

7. You will be marked. The BEI chairman shall then apply indelible ink on the right forefinger nail of the voter. You shall then affix your thumb on the space beside your name in the book of registered voters.

After voting, go home. It is better to leave the place and stay at home. Be in a safer place. We can never say what will gonna happen. The tension during this occasion is might get high especially as the hours pass by.

Besides, it will ease the number of people there. The heat. The sweat. And the smell!

Hope for a peaceful and honest election.