By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Around 2.6 million Negrenses are expected to vote during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) today.
Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, elections supervisor of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental, said 2,014,726 regular voters and 660,686 SK voters will cast their votes at 5,704 clustered precincts in 662 villages across the province.
Ananoria advised voters to come early to their respective polling precincts, as the voting would be closed by 3:00 p.m.
He reminded voters to familiarize themselves with their designated polling venues to make their voting process more convenient.
He said voters should not stay at the voting precincts after casting their votes to avoid overcrowding at the polling venues.
Ananoria also told the candidates for the BSKE to respect whatever the results of the polls may be.
The Comelec-NegOcc has reminded the voting public of some dos and don’ts to prevent any issues or errors during the voting process:
Dos
* Know your precinct number and voting center
* Make a “kodigo” or a list of candidates you will vote for
* Dispose of your “kodigo” properly after voting
* Use a ballot secrecy folder when voting
* Make sure to clearly write the candidates’ names as they appear on the official list
* After voting, fold the ballot as you received it, and return it to the Electoral Board
Don’ts
* Do not take pictures of your accomplished ballot
* Do not show the contents of the accomplished ballot to anyone
* Do not erase any imprint on the ballot
* Do not draw or make any unnecessary marks on the ballot
* Do not tear or destroy the ballot
* Do not remove the detachable ballot coupon or stub
Contingency plans
Earlier, Ananoria said they had found some minor issues following the arrival of accountable forms and election paraphernalia last week.
He said, in cases where there is a shortage of ballots, other polling precincts may lend their extra ballots.
Contingency plans have already been set for problems encountered during the election day.
The provincial election supervisor further explained that a 100 percent voter turnout is often unattainable./DGB, WDJ