Over 68 million Filipinos to vote May 12 elections to elect new leaders for both national and local positions, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The Comelec reported that approximately 68.43 million registered voters are expected to cast their votes on Monday, with 4.3 million of them voting in a national election for the first time.
Comelec has reminded voters to prepare their list of chosen candidates ahead of time to ensure a smooth voting process.
For national positions, voters may select up to 12 senators and one party-list group, while local ballots include choices for members of Congress, governor, vice governor, provincial board members, mayor, vice mayor, and city or municipal councilors, depending on the locality.
Prior to election day, voters should have received their Voter’s Information Sheet (VIS), which contains vital details such as their precinct number, voting center, and a sample ballot.
Those who have not received their VIS can also check their polling details using the Comelec Precinct Finder online.
Voting hours for the general public are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., while senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and their assistants may vote as early as 5:00 a.m.
Comelec outlined eight steps for voting: introduce yourself to the electoral board, verify your name and check for finger ink, sign the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List (EDCVL), receive your ballot and marker, fill out the ballot by shading circles next to candidate names, insert the ballot into the vote-counting machine, check and deposit your receipt in the designated box, and finally, get marked with indelible ink.