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#Halalan2022: Comelec says alternative mode of voting not yet possible

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Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/07/30/20210610-comelec-resbak-registration-md-2.jpg"/><figcaption><em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez on Friday said an alternative mode of voting for May 9, 2022 elections could not be adopted in the absence of a law. </p><p>This came after the health department earlier in the day cautioned the agency in allowing COVID-19 patients to vote in person for next year&#x27;s polls, as it may lead to further transmission of cases.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/09/21/comelec-magparehistro-ka-voters-register-halalan-2022">READ: Interactive sites, longer registration hours: Comelec woos more Filipinos to become voters</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/17/21/doh-mulls-voting-options-for-covid-19-patients">READ: Voting via SMS? DOH mulls options for COVID patients in 2022 polls</a></li></ul><p>This includes the possibility of casting ballots virtually or through SMS, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. </p><p>But Jimenez emphasized that the possibility remained bleak as of the moment.</p><p>“As to the possibility of alternative means of voting, unfortunately these are not authorized by law and will not be employed on 9 May 2022,&quot; he said in a text message.</p><p>Jimenez also clarified that isolation polling places (IPPs), which would be set up by the poll body on election day, are intended to accommodate voters who would have COVID-19 symptoms.</p><p>These IPPs, he added, are also places where they &quot;can vote away from the general public, with all the necessary precautions appropriate to their health condition.”</p><p>This is not for COVID-19 patients in quarantine or in medical facilities, according to him.</p><p>“The Comelec welcomes... Vergeire’s statement regarding the possibility of voting by COVID positive voters. We wish to reassure Usec. Vergeire that the Comelec is fully cognizant of the risks - both to the patient and the public - associated with making a COVID positive person go out to vote,&quot; he explained. </p><p>The proposal of requiring COVID-19 patients to vote and &quot;leave their isolation facilities was never really on the table.&quot;</p><p>&quot;This misapprehension may have simply arisen from statements made by Comelec to the effect that isolation polling places are being prepared,&quot; Jimenez said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/03/21/read-comelecs-new-normal-rules-for-halalan2022">Comelec sets &#x27;new normal&#x27; rules for #Halalan2022 campaign activities</a></li></ul><p>&quot;To be clear, such IPPs are intended to serve persons who present symptoms upon their arrival at voting center on Election Day. While these persons may indeed turnout to be COVID positive, they will not be turned away automatically just because they are suspected to be potential cases,&quot; according to the official. </p><p>“To reiterate- the IPPs are not intended to be polling places for persons who are confirmed to be COVID positive and are, on Election Day, supposed to be in quarantine.&quot;</p><div><strong>WATCH</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1776292" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said an alternative mode of voting for 2022 elections could not be adopted in the absence of a law. 

#Halalan2022: Comelec says alternative mode of voting not yet possible

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#Halalan2022: Comelec says alternative mode of voting not yet possible

Ina Reformina,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 17, 2021 09:03 PM PHT

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Department of Health

DOH

Comelec

Commission on Elections

COVID19

coronavirus

COVID-19

isolation polling places

IPP

Halalan 2022

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