Abra voters: VCM might reveal our identity to pols

By Ginalyn B. Brioso

BANGUED, Abra – Provincial folks afraid of backlash from politicians in this province known for electoral violence aired apprehensions candidates might know whom they voted for.  

But according to Provincial Election supervisor Mae Richelle Beronilla, the Vote-Counting Machine (VCM) will not print the name of the voters but only the names of the candidates they voted for.

                “The voter’s name will not appear in the receipt, only the candidates. Voters will not take the receipt with them. They will drop it in the corrugated box provided by the Comelec.

The receipt will assure voters that they cast their votes of their choice,” she said.

Beronilla said voters should insert their ballot in the VCM and wait for the receipt, review their receipt and drop the receipt in the corrugated box themselves.

She said voters should never allow anyone to see their ballot and receipt, not even the watchers and Board of Election Inspectors.

Voters will use ballot secrecy folder when they vote, she added.

She said cell phones and camera are no longer allowed inside voting centers. Gadgets will be placed in a deposit box outside voting centers as supervised by deployed police personnel. -- JDP/GBB