By JEN BAYLON

The Commission on Elections in the Negros Island Region (Comelec-NIR) said its preparations for the May 12 midterm elections are nearly complete following the successful final testing and sealing of automated counting machines (ACMs) on Wednesday, May 7.

“We are all set. The official ballots have already been delivered to the municipalities and cities, and they are now checking if any were lost or misdelivered,” Comelec-NIR Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute said.

The regional poll body reported minor delays in the ACM final testing and sealing in three precincts in Negros Oriental’s Mabinay town.

“Three USB devices were damaged. That is the only issue remaining in Negros Oriental, in Negros Occidental. All is done,” he said.

A total of 2,086 ACMs have been allocated for 31 towns and cities in Negros Occidental and 398 for Bacolod, Macute said.

Around 26 replacement ACMs for Negros Occidental and 54 for Bacolod have been reserved in case problems are encountered in the precincts.

Meanwhile, Comelec in Bacolod City assured residents that the ACMs to be used in the midterm elections are now safe and secure.

Comelec-Bacolod election officer Revo Sorbito said the ACMs will be temporarily stored at the offices of the Department of Education and will only be returned to polling precincts on election day on Monday.

Sorbito added that there is no cause for concern, as the Philippine National Police will guard the ACMs round-the-clock until the elections.

The Comelec-NIR noted that the last day for campaigning is Saturday, May 10, and a liquor ban will be in effect on election day and the following day.

Tension

Meanwhile, Comelec-NIR also addressed the rising tension as election day nears, advising candidates to keep their composure.

“For the candidates, since there are only a few days left before we go to the polling places again, my advice to them is to take it easy with their feelings because, at this time, the tension is really high,” Macute said.

“When the leader is tense, the supporters will also be tense. When there is tension, the possibility of violence and trouble increases,” he added.

He reminded candidates to be leaders for peace and development.

Meanwhile, Comelec-NIR is ramping up preparations and calling on voters, candidates and supporters to ensure a smooth, efficient and peaceful election day.

Comelec-NIR Director Lionel Marco Castillano advised voters to come prepared with a list of candidates they intend to vote for to speed up the voting process.

“Hopefully on election day, our voting process will be faster as we have up to 1,000 voters in some precincts,” he said.

Castillano also recommended that voters bring umbrellas to protect themselves from heat or rain, and reminded everyone to stay hydrated.

For watchers and supporters, he urged calmness and respect for the voting process, saying, “Let the people vote.”

Vote-buying 

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica assured the public that they will monitor vote-buying activities closely leading up to election day.

Coronica said the BCPO has established communication lines to provide real-time information to election officers about incidents before and during the election.

He explained that it is up to the election officers to decide what actions to take against individuals or groups caught buying votes.

The BCPO reminded the public that vote-buying is a serious election offense punishable by law.

The police, Comelec, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other government agencies form part of the task force against vote-buying.

In health preparedness, the Department of Health-NIR has raised a Code White Alert from May 9 to 15 in anticipation of increased medical emergencies during the elections.

Under Administrative Order No. 2008-0024, hospitals and rural health units have been instructed to ensure the 24/7 availability of emergency personnel and supplies, deploy medical teams to public gatherings, and maintain rapid response capabilities.

The public is advised to protect themselves from heat by staying indoors during peak hours, hydrating regularly, wearing light clothing, and using umbrellas or hats./JB, WDJ