ELECTIONS 2022: How to vote, a step-by-step guide

With only days before the upcoming 2022 national elections, voters, especially first-time voters, might be asking how the elections will be conducted during the pandemic.

Filipinos will be electing a new set of national and local leaders, including the 17th president of the Philippines. This year, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) tallied around 67.5 million registered voters, despite the threat of COVID-19 in the country.

Since this year’s voting process involves pandemic safety measures that must be observed in the precincts, here’s a guide on how to vote for your candidates, while keeping yourself and others safe from the virus.

Step-by-step guide to voting

1. Have your temperature checked before entering the voting center. An official will check you for any COVID-19 symptoms.

2. Proceed to the Voters' Assistance Desk (VAD) to secure your precinct and sequence numbers and assigned room or clustered precinct.

3. Go to your assigned room and introduce yourself to the Electoral Board by stating your name, precinct, and sequence numbers.

4. Get your ballot, ballot secrecy folder, and marking pen. Fill out the ballot at the voting area.

5. Accomplish the ballot by fully shading the oval appearing before the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. DO NOT overvote.

6. Feed the ballot into the Vote Counting Machine (VCM). Stand by and wait for the machine to process your vote.

7. Check your voter's receipt to see if your votes were processed correctly. Then deposit it in the provided receptacle.

8. Have your right forefinger nail stained with indelible ink.

Things to note during the Election Day

• Voting starts from 6 am to 7 pm. Expect that there will be hundreds or thousands of voters in your precinct so it’s best to come early to avoid long queues.

• Photos of your filled-out ballot and/or voter’s receipt are not allowed and may cost you your chance to vote.

• Check if you are in the right precinct, or if you’re an active voter. You can do so here.

• Exit the polling center as soon as you are done voting. If you are to take pictures with your inked finger, you can do so outside to give way to other voters.

Lastly, vote wisely. The upcoming election will determine our next leaders for the next six years.

Pola Rubio is a news writer and photojournalist covering Philippine politics and events. She regularly follows worldwide and local happenings.

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