The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is ready to hold a plebiscite on March 13 for the proposed division of Palawan into three provinces.
“All systems go na po tayo. Actually ngayon nagkakaroon ng early withdrawal ng mga supplies para sa mga island municipalities at kinukuha na mga election paraphernalia ngayon,” said James Jimenez, spokesperson of Comelec.
In an interview with TeleRadyo Friday morning, Jimenez said that one of the things voters will see again in polling precincts is the presence of polling booths.
“For the first time in a very long time magkakaroon tayo ng polling booths para isolated pa rin sila kahit sila ay bumoboto and then after that sila ay magi-indelible ink at aalis na po,” he said.
But even before they can vote, they have to fill out the health declaration form before going to the polling precinct.
“Kung wala silang na-fillout ahead of time, meron naman health declaration form doon so kailangan pa rin nilang mag-accomplish nun. Pag na-accomplish na nila ‘yun, pwede silang magtungo doon sa tinatawag nating voters assistance desk,” said Jimenez.
2021 Palawan division plebiscite now ready
Here, volunteers will help them find out which precinct and what room they are assigned to the polling station itself. Going to the polling place, the voter will get a ballot but have to go through health screening first.
“Magkakaroon ng temperature check at titingnan kung sila ay walang sintomas ng COVID-19. Kapag sila ay may iprinesentang sintomas o ‘di kaya mataas ang temperatura nila, sila ay dadalhin sa tinatawag na isolation polling place o IPP at doon po sila makakaboto,” he explained.
Only about 5 people will be allowed inside the polling precinct to still observe the physical distancing.
On Saturday, March 13, a plebiscite will be held where Palaweños will vote “Yes” or “No” on the division of Palawan into the three provinces of Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur.
A total of 490,639 registered voters of Palawan can participate in the plebiscite.