Persons who are tested COVID-19 positive during the May 9, 2022 national and local elections are not allowed to vote, including those who are completing their isolation due to the disease, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). This is a preventive measure of mass transmission of the virus, COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez said.
“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,” Jimenez further said. He also said that “isolation polling places or IPPs” on Election Day are intended to serve voters who would present COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival at the polling centers so that instead of turning them away, they could cast their votes away from the general public, “with all the necessary precautions appropriate to their health condition.”
Southern Leyte COMELEC’s Election Assistant Glen Quinaging, said that their focus now is on the activity for the Certificate of Candidacy registration. The provincial office is still waiting for the directive from their central office.