EVEN quarantined voters, who are infected with novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) may still be allowed to participate in the 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec Spokesman James Arthur B. Jimenez said they are now drafting the guidelines, which will be based on the voting scheme for people deprived of liberty (PDL) as a model.
“Hopefully, we can nail that down [so we can ensure the] voting rights [of] Covid-19 positive cases.” Jimenez said in an online forum last Sunday. The poll official, however, pointed out that such a scheme will be “complex” since it will entail additional resources.
As for voters who will be suspected or be proven to be infected with Covid-19 during election day, he said they will be asked to vote in an “isolation voting place.”
Jimenez explained voters will be required to go through a screening station to determine if they are positive for Covid-19 or not through temperature checks and answering a health declaration form.
“If you arrive there, and your temperature is high—you will be diverted [to the isolation voting place],” Jimenez said.
Comelec already used the said strategy during the 2021 Palawan plebiscite.