Registered voters now have more convenient ways to locate their designated voting precincts ahead of the May 12 midterm elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec director for the Negros Island Region, said the online precinct finder has been activated earlier than usual to ensure smoother voting experiences for Filipinos.
“This is one of Comelec’s initiatives to help voters directly access their polling center and precinct number,” Castillano told the Philippine News Agency.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is now hosting the Comelec website and its online tools after a hacking incident in 2016 compromised the previous system.
Castillano noted that one of the most common issues on election day is voters struggling to find their precincts. To address this, the Comelec has provided several options for precinct verification:
- Online Precinct Finder – Accessible via the Comelec website, this tool enables voters to search for their polling details quickly and securely.
- Comelec Offices – Voters can personally visit their city or municipal Comelec office to check their precinct numbers.
- Voter’s Information Sheet (VIS) – Distributed house-to-house, the VIS contains a voter’s precinct number, personal data, a list of candidates, voting steps, and a sample ballot.
- Assistance Desks – On election day, assistance desks managed by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) will provide printed voter lists to help individuals locate their precincts.
- Computerized Voter Lists at Polling Precincts – Voter lists with photos will be posted at the precinct level for easier identification.
The Comelec is encouraging voters to verify their precincts ahead of election day to avoid delays and ensure a smooth voting experience.