Only 10 to 15 persons will only be allowed inside a polling place at any given time, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec Director Teopisto Elnas Jr.presented the commission’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) preventive measures for the May 9 elections during a stakeholders’ forum organized by the election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).
The proposed number, however, will depend on the size of a polling place.
“There are voting places natin na malaki and magva-vary ito, at least ang guidance is the minimum social distancing requirement mako-comply strictly within the classroom or polling place,” Elnas said.
Temperature checks will also be conducted at the entrance of the precincts.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be asked to do crowd control during the election day so that health protocols will be enforced, such as social distancing and wearing of face masks.
“There will be the PNP/AFP—as the case maybe—will take charge as far as the crowd control right at the entrance ng voting centers natin,” he said.
“Kasi ine-expect natin may mga time na dagsaan ang pagpunta ng mga botante. Karamihan dyan early morning dagsaan yan tapos magla-lull 12nn to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. babalik na naman yan magdagsaan hanggang sa katapusan ng oras ng botohan,” he added.
The May 9 elections voting hours will commence at 6 a.m. and end at 7 p.m.
The Comelec will also create separate entrance and exit ways in the polling precincts to lessen close interactions. Ronald Espartinez