Written by Maria Erika Coleen Nidea
Published April 30, 2022
MANILA, Philippines — Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire proposed setting a voting time limit inside the polling precincts on May 9 to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
In a forum hosted by the non-partisan and pro-democracy coalition PARTICIPATE, Vergeire who is also the Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson made the recommendation as a means to prevent crowding and the risk of COVID-19 surges.
“Siguro ang isang rekomendasyon ko, baka meron time limit. Kasi minsan diba it takes too long for a person to cast their votes, nakipagkwentuhan pa doon sa mga kakilala sa loob,” she said.
(My recommendation is that there should be a time limit. Because sometimes, it takes too long for a person to cast their votes, and some still talk to other people.)
“So baka dapat limitado tayo—10 minutes, 15 minutes, I don’t know… so that we can minimize yung pagkakasama-sama ng tao sa isang pwesto,” she added.
(So maybe we should limit the voting time–10 minutes, 15 minutes, I don’t know… so that we can minimize crowding in one place.)"
Meanwhile, COMELEC decided to only allow 10 voters at a time to enter the room. There will also be an Isolation Polling Place (IPP) for voters who show COVID-19 symptoms.
Vergeire also advised the public to avoid loitering or staying in the polling place after casting their votes.
“Pagdating din sa labas, labas na agad diretso," she said. “I think this is important for us to prevent further crowding sa area because that would be one of the major challenges come election day.”
(After going out, leave the place right away. I think this is important for us to prevent further crowding in the area because that would be one of the major challenges come election day.)
Moreover, Vergeire recommended having “safety officers” in every voting center “aside from the marshalls.”
The health official said other safety measures for the May 9 elections are now in place and only proper enforcement is needed.
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