Comelec calls for final 

polls coord conference 

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, May 4 (PIA)—Preparations for the May 13, 2019 national and local elections peak on Monday, May 6, at the Commission on Elections gather stakeholders for the Multi Agency Final Coordinating Conference for Bohol at the Casa Rey Francis. 

According to Bohol Election Officer Atty. Eddie Aba, the stakeholders would assess and evaluate all the preparations from logistics in the shipment of the election paraphernalia and the vote counting machines and the security and safety measures to be implemented during the polling as key issues during the coordinating conference. 

In the conference are election officers from the towns, deputized agencies including the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Paris pastoral Council for Responsible Voting volunteers. 

During the weekly Kapihan sa PIA last week, Atty Aba has reported that the local Comelec has received the VCM and the election paraphernalia from the Central Office in Manila and these are now kept secure in a holding facility here in Tagbilaran. 

These election paraphernalia would soon be shipped to the towns and ferried to the islands with ample security escorts, all to assure that these are not tampered with. These shall be secured in the towns halls and would be brought to the polling places before the elections. 

Moreover, Atty. Aba said the absentee voting for those who would be on duty during the elections has already transpired. They however only voted for the national positions. 

As to the safety and security in Bohol during the elections, the soft-spoken provincial poll supervisor said they are still continuing in the validation of the election watch areas and election areas of concern. 

He explained that the determination of such are based on the past election related incidents: outside sources have initially released information that there are 24 election areas of concern in Bohol. 

While not categorically confirming the number, Bohol Comelec however explained that the presence of election related violence and note intense political rivalry in the past have helped Comelec generate the list. 

Over this, the PNP and the AFP have committed additional manpower on election day. 

Atty Alba also disclosed that the PNP has promised to put up two personal for every polling place, these peace keeping officers are to position themselves about 50 meters away from the nearest polling places, but there shall be voter assistance centers in place. 

So the mother voters could be given time to cast their votes, COMELEC said day care centers would be opened on that day, so mothers may leave their kids to the child tenders at the day care centers. 

Moreover, Comelec said all polling centers would be placed on the first floor so it would be easier for persons with disability, pregnant and the senior citizens to access. 

But even then, issues and clarifications on these polices would be the focus on the coordination conference on Monday, Comelec said. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

NOT FINAL. Validations still continue on the evaluation of the 24 towns earlier placed under election watch areas, reported Atty Eddie Aba, Bohol Comelec Supervisor. Placing of these areas under watch assures voters that goons and vote-buying could be minimized if not stopped. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)