ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is cracking down on the use of cellphones inside polling precincts during the May 12 midterm elections, warning that violators may be arrested on the spot.
Comelec Region 6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan said using mobile phones inside the polling precinct — especially while casting one’s vote — constitutes an election offense.
Law enforcement officers assigned to voting centers have the authority to apprehend individuals caught in the act.
“Bringing a cellphone to the voting center is not prohibited, but using it inside the precinct, especially for taking photos or videos, is,” Ausan stressed. “Such actions violate the sanctity of the ballot.”
He urged voters to refrain from checking calls or messages unless it’s an emergency.
“Voting won’t take long. Use your phone only once you’ve exited the precinct,” he added.
Watchers, Media Also Face Restrictions
Poll watchers and members of the media are allowed to carry phones and record general polling activities but are strictly prohibited from taking close-up photos or videos that reveal how a voter marked their ballot or how they fed it into the automated counting machine (ACM).
“Any close-up or zoomed-in capture of the ballot that shows voter choices is a serious offense. That alone is grounds for immediate arrest,” Ausan warned.
Voting Hours and Priority Guidelines
Ausan also reminded Western Visayas’ 3.1 million registered voters that regular voting hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with exclusive early voting from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. allotted for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women.
Authorized companions of these vulnerable voters may also vote during this early period, provided they are registered in the same precinct.
“If a companion is registered in a different precinct, they will have to vote during regular hours,” said Ausan. “We are strictly enforcing this. Only the vulnerable sectors are allowed to vote before 7 a.m.”
No ID Required, But Identity Checks Remain
There is no requirement to present a valid ID to vote, Ausan clarified, noting that cases of questioned identity are rare.
Electoral board members have copies of the Posted Computerized Voter’s List (PCVL), which includes the name and photo of each registered voter, to verify identities.
“Verification is easier now,” Ausan said. “The PCVL is posted at the entrance of the classroom, and our teachers have the necessary tools to confirm the voter’s identity.”/PN