How to Cast Vote in 2022 Philippines Presidential Elections

In total there will be more than 65.7  million Filipinos in the country are eligible to cast their vote on May 9, 2022. While overseas voters have a total number of 1.697 million across different countries.

The National Election in the Philippines will be held again on May 9, 2022, many of us will head to our designated polling precinct to choose the next leader of our country.  This article will not endorse anyone but help you prepare what things to bring and not to bring on the date of the election.

For first-time voters, this article will be beneficial in order for you to prepare and avoid confusion on the day of the election.

Make sure to know your polling precinct assignment. The Commission on Election makes it easier for us to know where polling precinct we are assigned. You can check your voter precinct by going to this link. 

What to prepare during the Election day?

Prepare your Voters List before the voting date. Comelec has released on their website a tentative list of candidates in order for you to make a list of candidates you want to vote for.  You can refer to this list of candidates in your area by clicking this list. This will save you time at the precinct. 

On the day of the election bring a ballpen but don't use that to shade your ballot. A special marker will be used and will be provided by the election officer to shade your ballot.

Having a voters list in your hand on the day of the election will prevent the following mistakes.

• Don't overvote the position you voted for will not be counted by the machine if you shade over the prescribed number. 
• Don't erase already marked candidates. Putting X marked on your shaded ballot is invalid and will not negate your previous vote.
• Don't take pictures of your ballot this is a violation. 

Avoid damage to your ballot by avoiding the following:

Every vote is important so don't waste it by accidentally damaging your ballot. Below are some of the common factors that can damage your ballot. 

• Avoid folding, crumpling your ballot, 
• Avoid marking the timing marks and blank spaces you can find on the side of the ballot.

What is prohibited inside the voting precinct?

• Mobile Phones
• Deadly Weapons
• Carrying of Firearms 
• Wearing a uniform and bearing arms and campaign paraphernalia

Now that you already know what are the Dos and Donts during the Election here's what will be the voting process looks like during the Election Day in the Philippines.

• Have your temperature checked before entering the voting center.

• Proceed to the Voters' Assistance Desk to secure your precinct and sequence numbers and assigned room or clustered precinct.

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

• Get your ballot, ballot secrecy folder, and marking pen and fill up the ballot at the voting area.

• Accomplish the ballot by fully shading the oval appearing before the name of the candidate you wish to vote for. Do not overvote.

• Feed the ballot into the Vote Counting Machine (VCM).

• Check your voter's receipt and then deposit it in the receptacle.

• Have your right forefinger nail stained with indelible ink.

In Summary:

In this Election, we will be electing a new President from the Presidential Candidates 2022. There are several Presidential aspirants who join Presidential debates on a major television network. We heard their platform and plans when they get elected to the position. And this gives us enough time to think about who will be qualified to lead our country.

Let us vote based on the candidate's platform, track record, and position on the national issues. Your vote is important to the future of our next generation our children and grandchildren so don't forget the old and gasgas na kasabihang always VOTE WISELY.

Sources: 

https://comelec.gov.ph/php-tpls-attachments/2022NLE/Resolutions/com_res_10728.pdf

https://comelec.gov.ph/?r=2022NLE/ListsofCandidates/TentativeListsofCandidates