Vaccination sites in polling precincts may confuse voters, Comelec exec says

MANILA, Philippines — Putting up COVID-19 vaccination sites in polling precincts on election day may confuse voters and make them think that immunization is a requirement to vote.

READ: Gov’t eyes vaccination centers in all barangays

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia said this Wednesday after the Department of Health (DOH) earlier mulled setting up vaccination sites near polling precincts.

READ: Comelec asks Duterte to declare election day a special non-working holiday

“Personally, as a member of the commission, mukhang hindi po yata tama sa akin pong palagay with all due respect po sa DOH,” he said in a Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum when asked on his comment on the matter.

(Personally, as a member of the commission, it seems wrong, with all due respect to the DOH.)

“Malilito po ang botante. Bakit po malilito? Malilito po ang botante baka akala po na para makaboto ka, kinakailangan na magpabakuna ka muna or at the same time baka sabihin po ng mga botante, requirement pala ‘yung pagbabakuna baka matakot po ‘yung iba na pumunta lalo pa’t ‘yung mga unvaccinated,” he pointed out.

(They will be confused. Why? They might be mistaken into thinking that they need to be vaccinated before voting or at the same time, they may say that vaccination is a requirement; they might become afraid, especially the unvaccinated ones.)

Garcia noted that voting should be prioritized as it is a constitutional right of the people.

As of May 1, there are 67.9 million individuals in the country who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

READ: Voters need not wear face shields at poll precincts

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