Comelec releases guidelines in Eleksyon 2022 voting simulation on Oct. 23

October 22 ------ The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday released its guidelines for the participants of the voting simulation to be held on October 23, Saturday for Eleksyon 2022. Last week, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved the poll body's proposal to conduct voting simulations in San Juan City to prepare for the elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the Comelec said it would use four classrooms as poll precincts and three classrooms as holding areas at the San Juan Elementary School. The voting simulation, which will be joined by 4,235 test voters, will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Qualified test voters must follow these guidelines:

Wear face mask and face shields while inside voting center and polling place

observe one-meter physical distancing

observe proper cough and sneezing etiquette

Frequent disinfection of hands and frequently touched surfaces

Moreover, the Comelec said there would be temperature checks and plastic barriers would be put up. COVID-19 marshals and medical personnel will also be present. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said this simulation would help the poll body come up with an overall seamless voting experience despite health and safety protocols during voting hours.

Objectives

In their voting simulation, Comelec is seeking to determine the average time frame in the verification process of identity of voters in the Election Day Computerized Voting List based on 800 registered voters per clustered precinct. This will help them come up with proposals that seek to streamline the verification process for next year's election day on May 8. Also, Comelec said the voting simulation will identify issues in the verification process. This will also help the poll body to come up with measures that will decongest polling places and implement procedures to ensure faster completion of the voting process.

Source: gmanetwork.com