The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday (Sep. 16) reported that the country now has 61 million registered voters while 6.5 million are currently deactivated.
In today’s Laging Handa public briefing, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon shared that deactivated voters can reactivate through e-mail.
“Sa ngayon po, mga 61 million na ang nakarehistro. Pero mayroon pa po tayong mga around 6.5 million na deactivated voters na pwede naman silang mag-reactivate through e-mail. Punta lang kayo sa Comelec website, lahat ng e-mail ng aming regional offices o election officer ninyo ay nandiyan.”
She explained that if a voter did not vote for two consecutive elections, they become deactivated.
In relation to this, she assured that quality vote counting machines will be used in the upcoming 2022 elections through the refurbishment of the VCMs.
“Sa ngayon po, mayroon kaming iyong tinatawag na refurbishment ng mga vote counting machines. Ongoing nga iyan doon sa Sta. Rosa. Iyong lumang vote counting machine ay pini-prepare at refurbished ano, iyong mga parts na hindi na gumagana o mahina na ay pinapalitan. Pero naka-bidding na rin kami, ang Comelec, ng karagdagang machines na rirentahan,” she said.
Guanzon said the defective VCMs were already replaced. She added that the machines were also cleaned and have an upgraded battery, while back-up batteries are also allotted in case of any malfunction.
Meanwhile, the Comelec commissioner reminded that COVID-19 positive voters are not allowed to go to voting precincts to avoid the further spread of the virus. However for those who experience symptoms, there will be an isolation polling where a health worker will test them.
“So, iyong mga asymptomatic sila, hindi nila alam na may sintomas sila, pagdating nila doon sa botohan at may fever sila o kaya umuubo sila o kaya sinisipon sila, dadalhin po sila sa isolation polling place. “
“Nandoon ang health workers, isa-swab sila doon at may ballot din sila doon. Iyon lang naman po ang ibig sabihin ng kung may COVID pwede pa ring bumoto. Eh, kung alam po nilang may COVID sila, huwag na po silang [pumunta at bumoto].”
Guanzon reiterated that there will also be a health declaration form before the actual voting.
Report from Naomi Tiburcio/NGS-rir
