With the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has urged the public to look at voting during "off peak" hours in the May 2022 polls.
"During the voting hours, there is usually a rush in the arrival of people. Usually, during the morning and late in the afternoon, people troop to voting centers," Comelec Commissioner Antonio Kho said during the Laging Handa forum Friday, May 28.
"Normally, between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there are a fewer people coming. We just need to encourage people to vote in those times," he added.
Kho said people should consider voting in these times to avoid crowding in polling precincts.
Earlier this month, the poll official said the extension of the voting hours in the upcoming polls is almost sure already.
"It's almost sure that it will extended. We will still discuss how long is the extension," Kho said.
"It would be extended probably up to 10 or even 12 (hours)...it depends because we have to consider the teachers also," he added.
"Chances are it would be a one day election but extended period. Probably additional two to three hours," said Kho.
During the May 2019 polls, voting hours was from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.