Overcrowding in QC poll precinct forces voters to use parking area

An overcrowded polling precinct in Barangay Valencia, Quezon City was forced to use the parking space of a barangay hall as well as a portion of a major road to accommodate more voters.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez explained that the barangay hall—the area’s original polling precinct—was “too small” to accommodate the influx of voters on election day.

“The barangay hall was the original place, but it has gotten too small,” Jimenez told reporters in a press briefing.

“More voters were expected to come, but offices were crowded with office equipment, and there was nowhere else to put the equipment,” the Comelec official said.

Due to the congestion, the local Comelec officials reported to the main office in Intramuros, Manila that the barangay hall was no longer “tenable,” prompting them to scout for an alternate location, Jimenez disclosed.

In turn, the polling precinct expanded its operations to a portion of Col. Bonny Serrano Avenue as well as the barangay hall’s parking space.

“Unfortunately, in that area, there were no public schools, churches, gyms. The only available space was the parking space in the barangay hall,” the spokesman explained.

“In order to secure voting, the Comelec took over half of the street (in front of the barangay hall) that is now essentially barricaded. Other parts of street can be used, but not areas where voting. (The area was) covered by tent,” he added. /je