To provide further information and clarification on the new ‘Automated Elections’ to be held on May 10, the NCF Central Student Government has organized a Voter’s Education Program last April 16 at the NCF Science & Technology Auditorium. 

Heading the invited speakers is Atty. Maico T. Julia Jr., the Commission on Elections Director of Naga City.  He gave a walk-through of what would actually transpire on Election Day – from the time of checking your name in the Posted Computerized Voters List until the application of the indelible ink on your fingernail.  To introduce the audience to the new voting machines or better known as the PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scan) Machines, Atty. Julia provided statistics, features and even pictures to better understand this new tool.  After his presentation a short open forum was held to entertain the questions of the audience.  Here are some things to remember during Election Day: 

• Bring your voter’s identification card with you when you vote.  For first time voters wherein most have not yet been issued a voter’s ID, it would be better to bring any valid identification for reference purposes.

   

• Check the ballot given to you; it should be free of any markings as not to invalidate your vote.

   

• Never fold the ballot.

   

• Fill the oval of your choice candidate with the marker provided to you by the Election Officers.

   

• The oval must be shaded completely. Ballots with check marks, x marks, partially shaded ovals, and other marks will be rejected.

   

• For those who are worried of their hand tremors (pasmado), don’t worry as the PCOS Machine would still read your ballot even if you would go a little beyond the oval.  A little marking beyond would be fine; just be careful not to over-do it.  The machine would reject your ballot if you’d mark past the oval excessively.

   

• It would be best to have a list of your preferred candidates ready as not to take too much time in voting.

   

• Don’t over-vote; you may under-vote but never over-vote.

   

• One voter is entitled to only one ballot (1 is to 1).  No replacement ballot will be given to voters who make a mistake.

   

Student audiences were also given an overview to the present role of the youth in Philippine Politics.  The invited speaker, Mr. Gerard Edgar O. Surtida, Luzon Vice President of the National Union of Students of the Philippines, gave insights on the present political situations.  This coming elections will be unlike the past ones given the fact that a majority of the voters will come from the so-called ‘Youth Vote’ or those aged between 18-35 years old.  The Filipino youth, which comprise of almost 60% of the total voting population, will have this unique chance to shape the country’s future this coming May 10.  Let us not waste this chance to chart our own destiny; we may never have this opportunity again. 

 

 

By: Ma, Shielo J. Villanueva
2010-04-17 00:00:00

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