Comelec: No need to extend voting hours despite some issues

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not likely to extend voting hours despite some issues during the opening of polling precincts on Monday.

“We feel that extension is not necessary because the voting hours by design is already flexible. If you’re already there at 6 p.m. and you’re able to get your name on the list then you’ll be able to complete your voting process no matter how long it takes,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez told reporters in a press conference at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay.

Aside from the 400 to 600 vote counting machines (VCM) that have been replaced, Jimenez said there are certain polling precincts that have yet to report its opening to the Comelec.

Among these precincts are in Isabela, Zambales, Samar, Naga City in Cebu as well as Compostela Valley and Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao.

“The general sense are they are functioning, we just haven’t been able to hear from them yet,” he said.

On some precincts with delayed conduct of polls, Jimenez said reports on the ground blamed it on SD cards that were not functioning.

“Again, we’re still really pinning down the reasons for the issues experienced by the VCMs, but right now, what we have is the SD cards,” he explained.

Asked of his assessment, Jimenez acknowledged the problems besetting some polling places.

“In general, because we are seeing that a lot of precincts are opened and we are getting a lot of reports that people were able to cast their votes successfully, we think it’s generally successful, however, there are some issues,” he said.

“There are some problems that have cropped up that we are addressing as they are happening, and that’s the important thing here,” he added.