COMELEC CHAIR GEORGE GARCIA: ‘Don’t Overvote, Otherwise, Your Vote Will Not Be Counted’ On The BARMM Parliamentary Elections

Nasa tamang direksyon ang paghahanda ng Comelec para sa kauna-unahang BARMM Parliamentary Elections na nakatakdang idaos sa Sept. 14.

COMELEC CHAIR GEORGE GARCIA: ‘Don’t Overvote, Otherwise, Your Vote Will Not Be Counted’ On The BARMM Parliamentary Elections

By Politico.ph
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By Politico.ph
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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday reported that it is on track in terms of preparations for the holding of the first-ever Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on Sept. 14.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said they expect to complete the delivery of election paraphernalia to concerned towns during the day.

“The deployment of equipment, specifically the ballots, to all municipalities should be completed today. At the same time, election paraphernalia, such as machines, batteries, and other items must be delivered to the local Comelec offices. Our plan is for the teachers to receive the machines before Sept. 11, as we will conduct the final testing and sealing of all machines across the entire Bangsamoro region – covering all 5,212 precincts – on Sept. 12,” he said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas.

Garcia earlier said that during the final testing and sealing of the automated counting machines (ACMs), registered voters will participate and real ballots will be used.

“We want to see: 1) Even though there is no actual transmission of results – how the public reacts, as 10 voters will cast their ballots using real ballots. We want to verify if the equipment functions correctly in each precinct; 2) We also want to distribute the equipment to the teachers; once they receive the units, they will not be returned, especially in remote areas and island municipalities, as the teachers will be responsible for safekeeping them,” he added.

Peace And Order

Garcia, meanwhile, reported that 31 individuals have been arrested so far for various violations in checkpoints across the region.

“So far, there have been no reported election-related incidents other than one; the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Coast Guard are in full control of the situation across the entire BARMM,” he said.

He also reminded members of the vulnerable sector – senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities – that early voting hours will be implemented on Monday to give these people a chance to cast their votes early, from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

“They can still vote during regular voting hours (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The early voting period is for those who wake up early and wish to vote early,” Garcia said.

Positions

A total of 80 parliamentary seats will be filled up in the Sept. 14 elections. Of the 80 seats, 50 percent, or 40 seats, will consist of RPPP Representatives.

The remaining 40 seats will be occupied by 32 elected Parliamentary District Representatives and eight Parliamentary Sectoral Representatives.

“There are 13 political party positions but voters will only vote for one; also, one candidate for parliamentary position (just like Congressman post in the national and local polls) and sectoral groups,” he said.

“Don’t overvote, otherwise, your vote will not be counted.” (PNA)