How to Vote

Are you a first time voter? Or veteran who wants to review the steps in voting? In any case, knowing in advance how to go about the process will save you time by making your visit to the polling place more efficient and orderly.

This has been adapted from the Pollwatcher's Handbook of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

Pointers:

- Find out what your precinct number is preferrably at least a day before the elections. The PPCRV offers a free and fast computerized search at your local Parish Church. For non-Catholic Filipinos, the same may be done at your local Barangay Hall. (Tip: Your precinct number will not be far from your family's or neighbor's precinct number.)

- Voting starts at 7:00 am and ends at 3:00 pm on Monday, May 14, 2007, but if there are still voters in queue within thirty (30) meters from the polling place, they will be accommodated. (Tip: Avoid the Filipino tendency to procrastinate. Vote in the morning for your convenience.)

- You are encouraged to list down on paper your preferred candidates/choices even before election day, and you're allowed to bring this list with you to the polling place. Unless you have a photographic memory, it is hard to remember 12 Senators, 1 Partylist, and a whole bunch of local city/town officials.

- Bring at least the following: Ballpen, Your list of candidates/choices, Identification Card

- From the moment you are handed a ballot, keep your eyes on it until it is finally dropped into the ballot box

- If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask any member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI), PPCRV, or NAMFREL. While there will also be helpful pollwatchers from political parties in the area, be wary of their advice as it may be biased towards their candidates.

Steps in Voting

1) Proceed to your polling place (usually a public school or government building, may be a public basketball court/gymnasium sometimes). If you have not yet done so, look for your name in the alphabetized and posted Computerized Voters' List. Take note of your precinct number.

2) Go to your precinct (denoted by an alphanumeric combination, such as "523" or "523-A"). There will be three COMELEC-appointed officials (known as the BEI) seated directly in front of the ballot box. Ask who the BEI Chair is, and then give your name and address to him/her. (Tip: There may be some instances when someone will "challenge" your identity. Simply present your ID card to the BEI and there will be no problem.)

3) Present your right index finger to the BEI. They will check (NOT yet apply ink) if it is already stained with indelible ink. The BEI Chair will then announce your name and ask you to sign in the Election Day Computerized Voter's List (EDCVL).

4) The BEI Chair will then process your ballot. He/she will a) announce the serial number and sign behind the ballot to authenticate it; b) write the ballot serial number in the EDCVL; c) fold the ballot before giving it to you; and d) make sure you have signed in the EDCVL.

5) With ballot in your hand, go to the designated area where you can find COMELEC Ballot Secrecy Folders. Write down on your ballot your choices. Just like using an ATM, do NOT ask for help from anyone while casting your vote, unless you are physically challenged (in which case the BEI or your relatives may help you). Do NOT make any stray marks anywhere else on the ballot. (Tip: You are allowed to abstain. To do so, simply mark the position you're abstaining from with a line or an "X". Do NOT leave any positions blank.)

6) After writing, fold the ballot in the same way that you received it. Go back to the BEI of your precinct. You will be asked to affix your thumb mark on the ballot coupon.

7) Return the ballot to the BEI Chair (he will be the one to drop it in the ballot box later). He/she will check if the serial number of your ballot matches the serial number issued to you.

8) The BEI Chair will apply a drop of indelible ink at your right index fingernail. You MUST allow your right index fingernail to be inked; if you will refuse, your ballot will be marked as spoiled (it won't be accepted) and you will be asked to leave (shame!).

9) The BEI Chair will sign in the EDCVL, remove the coupon from your ballot, and drop your ballot into the ballot box compartment for valid ballots.

10) Quietly leave the polling place. Unless you are a pollwatcher or authorized by the COMELEC, you're not allowed to loiter in the polling place.

You're done!