The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, May 6, reiterated the 7 p.m. voting deadline on Election Day. May 9, is extendable.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Comelec Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said voting is from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. but he said they will extend as long as there are people in the queue.
“One of the things we always say is that the 7 p.m. deadline really is extendable. Kapag may tao pa sa diyan polling place natin, naghihintay bumoto by 7 p.m., itutuloy lang po natin ang botohan hanngang ma-serve natin ang lahat (If there are still people there at the polling place, waiting to vote by 7 p.m., we will continue the casting of votes until we have served them all),” he said.
Jimenez said that voters lining up to vote around 30 meters from the polling precincts will still be allowed to cast their votes.
“But in general naman kasi, nag-clu-cluster ang mga tao sa area na iyon, so kung kayo ay nakapila na ay ma-a-identify naman kayo (But in general, people cluster in that area, so if you are already in queue, you will be identified),” he added.
Earlier, the Comelec said voters do not have to bring vaccination cards, face shields, and RT-PCR test results in order for them to cast their votes.
The poll body noted that even unvaccinated voters will be allowed to vote on May 9, stressing that the right to suffrage is a constitutional right.