Voters warned vs. disinformation ahead of May polls

According to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, they have monitored false information, particularly on the voting process stating that one needs to present an identification (ID) card or voter ID among others. (Photo: COMELEC/Facebook)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday warned voters against the circulation of disinformation before the conduct of the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections (NLE).

According to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez, they have monitored false information, particularly on the voting process stating that one needs to present an identification (ID) card or voter ID among others.

“I’d like to call your attention to other disinformation activities that are ongoing that we’ve been monitoring. There is no truth that there’s a need for voter certification in order to vote. You don’t need a voter certification or a voters ID in order to vote,” Jimenez said in a media forum in Manila Wednesday.

The poll body spokesperson, however, clarified that a voter will only be asked to present an ID once his or her identity is challenged.

Jimenez also denied information circulating that there is a possibility of knowing which candidates were voted upon during the balloting.

“There is no means for anyone, not even the Comelec, to determine who were voted by individual voters,” he said.

At the same time, the Comelec official advised the public to vote for only 12 senators in the polls.

“There is no way for the vote counting machine to determine who among the 13 is your 13th choice (for senator). So it will just consider it as stray votes,” Jimenez said.

He explained that the rest of the positions in the ballots, that are not over votes, will be counted as normal.

The Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) is campaigning for 13 senatorial candidates in the forthcoming polls.

On the other hand, election lawyer George Garcia also warned those who are running in the May 13 midterm polls against individuals promising that they will win the May polls in exchange for a sum of money.

“They are asking candidates for PHP50-PHP60 million in exchange for sure win. They claim that they are from the Comelec-Information Technology Department. Don’t believe them. That is impossible. Nobody can manipulate the result of the automated elections,” the lawyer added.