ILOILO City – Can individuals found positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vote in the upcoming 2022 elections?
According to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Region 6 assistant director, Atty. Tomas Valera, they are still waiting for guidelines from the central office.
“Wala pa sang desisyon. Hulaton namon kon ano ila nga decision,” Valera said in an interview with Panay News.
Valera said there’s no law saying the sick cannot vote “galing lain ina ‘ya ang COVID kay this is highly communicable disease.”
Valera said the people should know how to balance the right to vote and safety.
“Ma-exercise kaw sang suffrage at the same time ang safety sang iban nga mga tawo. Depende ‘na sa ila kon paano nila i-binag-binag,” added Valera.
In case the Comelec-central office decides to allow confirmed coronavirus cases to vote, its local counterpart is also ready to follow the guidelines.
The issue on whether to allow confirmed cases to vote in the upcoming May 2022 election was floated in the House hearing on the proposed 2022 budget of the Comelec.
It was Zamboanga City’s 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe who asked Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas if COVID-positive registered voters can vote at the elections next year.
In response, Abas said COVID-positive voters can still exercise their right to vote in “isolation centers” located at the polling area.
“Oo naman po. Pwede pong silang bomoto. Gagawan po namin ng paraan na magkaroon ng parang isolation center sa bawat polling center, so ihihiwalay po natin sila just in case they will be confirmed and then doon natin sila pabobotohin sa isolation center,” Abas said.
Data from the Department of Health showed, as of Sept. 14, Western Visayas had 116,191 total confirmed cases – 15,039 active, 98,403 recovered and 2,723 deaths.
Here’s the breakdown of coronavirus cases in the region:
* Aklan – 12,174 total cases (504 active, 11,477 recovered and 193 deaths)
* Antique – 5,419 total cases (796 active, 4,453 recovered and 168 deaths)
* Capiz – 7,588 total cases (989 active, 6,343 recovered and 254 deaths)
* Guimaras – 2,419 total cases (659 active, 1,699 recovered and 60 deaths)
* Iloilo – 27,875 total cases (6,248 active, 20,954 recovered and 669 deaths)
* Negros Occidental – 24,246 total cases (2,119 active, 21,622 recovered and 496 deaths)
* Bacolod City – 17,981 total cases (1,447 active, 16,120 recovered and 411 deaths)
* Iloilo City – 18,489 total cases (2,277 active, 15,735 recovered and 472 deaths)
REGISTER NOW
Comelec-6 continues to encourage those who have not yet registered to hurry now and not wait for the Sept. 30 deadline.
According to Valera, the Comelec is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday including holidays to cater to applicants.
Applicants must bring their own ball pens and any valid identification card.
Among the applications catered by the Comelec are new registration, transfer of residence, correction of entry, activation and others./PN
