The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminded voters not to take pictures or “selfies” after voting as it could be a strong evidence for vote buying and vote selling.
COMELEC XI spokesperson lawyer Krisna Caballero underscored these prohibited acts while elaborating the rules and guidelines for 2019 Midterm Election slated on Monday, May 13.
“Bawal po na you take pictures of your ballot or magse-selfie ka after you vote because it could be an evidence for vote buying, and we are really against vote buying and vote selling,” Caballero said during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing held in The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Tuesday, May 8.
The COMELEC official also reminded the voters to refrain from over voting or else their entire vote will not be counted.
“Like for example yung sa senators, you only have to choose 12, pag bumoto po kayo ng 13, lahat ng binoto nyo from 1-13 will not be counted. But it doesn’t mean na magiging invalid din yung balota. It will not only be counted with respect sa in-over vote nya,” Caballero said.
She, however, clarified that under voting or abstaining is acceptable.
“For example, out of 12 senators, 5 lang binoto nya, it’s still counted o halimbawa nag abstain siya, it’s okay.”
According to her, bringing of voting references or “kodigo” are allowed during the vote casting but reminded candidates to avoid distributing sample ballots during the election day following the no campaigning policy. The sample ballots may be distributed days before actual voting.
After voting, Caballero said a printout receipt will come out to double check if the voter was able to vote his/her desired candidate. However, these receipts must be placed in a receptacle provided by the commission and not brought outside the polling place.
“H’wag mong dalahin because it is an election offense,” she added.
Caballero, meanwhile, said a total of 1,139 vote counting machines (VCM) and 1,139 voter registration verification machine (VRVM) were deployed in different public schools of Davao City yesterday.
“Nahuli ng distribute sa Davao City kasi inuna muna yung mga far-flung areas,”
These VCMs and VRVMs were subjected for its final testing and sealing today, May 9 as the commission expects over 1,000 voters to exercise their right to suffrage in each precinct of Davao City.
Each district of Davao City will have contingency VCMs and VRVMs in case there will be machine downtime along the way.