Comelec Studies How Voters with COVID-19 and Symptoms can Vote on Election Day
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now studying how voters showing COVID-19 symptoms and tested positive can vote in the 2022 election.
According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, the pandemic is not a reason to deny the right to vote. The officials are now studying how voters who are positive for coronavirus, quarantined or showing the symptoms on polling day can vote in the 2022 election.
“Having a disease is not a disqualification to vote, which means hindi natin puwede basta basta sabihin na, ‘may sakit ka, hindi ka puwede bomoto kasi magkakasakit lahat ng tao’ because that might be a form of disenfranchisement, so we’re going to have to find ways to work around that,” the official explained.
READ ALSO: Comelec Says Around 7 Million Voter Accounts Deleted
Based on the report of ABS-CBN News, the Comelec is studying the designation of a separate voting area for those who shows high temperatures after entering the voting center, as well as the possibility of bringing the ballots home and quarantine facilities of registered voters positive with virus.
“Katulad ng ginagawa natin sa absentee voting na dinadala mga balota sa detention prisoners. It’s possible na do a similar thing for persons under quarantine. Of course that’s a little controversial kasi siyempre you’re putting teachers naman at risk, but that’s something that has to be settled in the coming days,” Jimenez said.
Voting will take place in school gyms, auditoriums, and large rooms to avoid clutter. COVID marshals will also be assigned to assist in the voting health protocols, according to Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas.
“Magbibigay kami ng parang COVID marshal sa bawat presinto. Ite-train natin ang teachers natin pano ma-maintain ang social distancing within the school and within the precinct mismo and then of course we will coordinate also with the PNP na sila magbabantay sa perimeter ng eskuwelahan,” Abas said.
READ ALSO: Comelec Eyes to Prohibit Face-to-Face Campaign for the 2022 Election
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