By Ferdinand Patinio
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said isolation polling precincts (IPPs) will be set up for the Palawan plebiscite next week.
Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho said they decided to put up special polling precincts in voting centers as a precautionary safety measure against Covid-19.
“The reason why we decided to set up the Isolation Polling Precincts is a recognition that the pandemic is still with us,” he said in a virtual press conference.
He said the poll body “deemed it necessary to set up the IPP so that we can ensure the safety of our voters”.
Kho, commissioner-in-charge to oversee the March 13 plebiscite, said those who will be directed to IPPs are voters who have Covid-19 symptoms such as those who registered a temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher.
“They won't be allowed to vote in the regular precincts physically. As long as you reach that temperature and it is possible you have symptoms of Covid, they will have to vote at the IPPs,” he said.
He appealed for understanding “so that we can have a safe and secure plebiscite”.
“All of these measures are implemented for the safety of everyone,” he added.
Asked if the refusal of the voter to vote at the IPPs, Kho said “the IPP is established not as a way or method to prohibit voters to vote. We look at this in a positive way that we implement this as a safety measure for the voters.”
“If they recorded above the temperature set, they will be asked to vote in an IPP. If their temperatures are high and they do not want to vote in an IPP, it is their option not to proceed. But we will not allow them to vote in a regular precinct. We don’t see any reason for them not to vote in an IPP,” he said.
Also allowed to vote in the IPPs are those who were not subsequently cleared by the medical personnel, and those who answered “Yes” to any of the questions contained in the Covid-19 Health Declaration Form.
On March 13, the province of Palawan will be holding a referendum that could divide the area into three namely: Palawan Oriental, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan del Norte.
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