The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assured displaced voters near Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental that they would still be able to cast their votes in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said voters affected by the volcano’s eruption will not be disenfranchised.

“We want to show them [evacuees] that they can vote on Election Day; that the Comelec is able to hold the elections where they are a handful of voters but aren’t disregarded,” he said after visiting the La Carlota Evacuation Center in Negros Occidental yesterday.

He added that the Comelec would set up polling precincts within the evacuation centers to ensure all displaced voters can participate in the electoral process.

Garcia also clarified that there are no current plans to postpone elections in areas affected by Mt. Kanlaon’s eruption.

“Our goal is there will be no failure of election, no postponement of election, no resetting of elections, at all costs, everybody must be able to vote on May 12,” Garcia said.

Five areas impacted by Kanlaon’s unrest — La Castellana, Bago City, La Carlota City, Pontevedra, and Murcia — are currently under Alert Level 3.

A total of 16,991 registered voters have been displaced in these locations. (PNA)