Comelec chief to voters: Prepare ‘kodigo,’ behave while voting

Commission on Elections Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (File Photo: COMELEC/Facebook)

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – With less than a week before the May 12 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday urged voters to start listing down the names of the candidates they will be supporting on election day.

“Let’s make our ‘kodigo’ now. It’s difficult to think of the 12 candidates for senator, one party-list group, as well as local candidates while you’re already voting,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview.

Aside from making their “kodigo” (cheat sheet), Garcia also advised the voters to know their particular voting center and polling precinct ahead of election day.

“One must know where is their designated school and polling centers are located,” he said.

Garcia also urged voters to behave while inside polling places.

When casting votes, voters should fully shade the ovals beside the names of their preferred candidates, Garcia said. They should also avoid making other marks on the ballots.

Voters should also leave the voting center immediately after casting their votes.

The Comelec chief also noted that identification (ID) cards are not required when voting but it would be better if they would bring one in case it is needed.

Garcia said mobile phones are allowed inside polling precincts but voters are prohibited from using it to take pictures of the ballots, voting machine screens, and voter receipts.

“We do not prohibit the carrying of cellphones inside the precinct. But my advice is, let’s not take any pictures for Facebook. Let’s respect the solemnity and the process while we are inside. No pictures of your ballot are allowed. No pictures of the machine screen are allowed. No pictures of the receipt are allowed, and of course, no pictures of the receipt itself are allowed,” he said.

Garcia also discouraged voters from receiving free food on election day, especially from candidates and political parties, and wearing campaign shirts inside polling precincts as campaigning is already prohibited on that day.

“Let us behave inside polling precincts or else get reported by watchers and be included among those to face charges,” the Comelec chief said.