By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

With barely three weeks left, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental is now all set for the national and local elections on May 9.

Comelec-Negros Occidental Elections Supervisor Atty. Roberto Salazar said they have yet to receive the actual ballots that would be used for the polls, but the vote counting machines (VCMs) that would be used were already in the province.

Of the 3,356 VCMs that arrived on Holy Thursday, April 14, 450 were handed over to Bacolod City, while 2,906 were handed over to Comelec-Negros Occidental.

Salazar said they are expecting the arrival of the ballots around the first week of May and it will be delivered at the designated pickup areas by the city and municipal treasurers in Negros Occidental.

Refresher training is also ongoing for teachers, and they are also receiving additional instructions.

Salazar, meanwhile, said the provincial canvassing area was transferred to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall at the south wing of the Provincial Capitol Building.

Previously, the canvassing was conducted at the capitol’s Social Hall.

He added that testing and sealing of VCMs will take place on May 7.

With concerns that a possible surge of COVID-19 may take place after the elections, Salazar said they are preparing the health protocols which would be implemented on election day.

Isolation booths will be available and individuals who post a temperature of more than 37 degrees during health screening will immediately be isolated to the said booths.

Polling precincts will be opened at 6:00 a.m. on May 9 and will close at 7:00 p.m.

Salazar added as long as there are voters lining up they will be accommodated./DGB, WDJ