IT’S all systems go for the barangay polls.
Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr on Friday announced that the electoral body is ready to conduct successful elections, and that all materials for October 28 have been deployed.
“We’ve completed the preparations…we should be winding up on the final deployment,” he said.
Deployment of materials to most provinces was completed earlier as officials prioritize the delivery to the countryside. Election paraphernalia for the National Capital Region and nearby Regions III and IV-A are deployed last.
Brillantes also reminded voters to troop to polling places early as the voting time will only be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Unlike the past two elections, the barangay polls on October 28 will follow manual procedures. The voting time has been shortened to allow the Board of Election Tellers to start the manual canvassing early.
“Basta bumoto na lang kayo. Kung pwede, agahan ninyo (Just vote. If possible, vote early.),” he said.
Comelec reported that the number of registered voters has increased by two million, or from 52 million in May, to 54,051,626. They will be voting in the 170,000 precincts across 42,028 barangays come Monday.
Brillantes added that voters should bring their valid identification cards with picture and, if possible, a prepared list of the candidates they will be voting for.
The poll body predicted a voter turnout of at least 80 percent, higher than last midterm elections’ turnout of 77 percent.
Comelec is also set to enforce a liquor ban starting on Sunday at 12:01 a.m. until October 28. The campaign period ends Saturday.
The command center for the Comelec’s operations will be at the main office in Palacio Del Gobernador in Manila. – Darlene Cay