3,656 BEIs in Benguet start training

TEACHERS who compose the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) serving in polling precincts in Baguio and Benguet started their two-day training this week.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) assistant regional director Reddy Balarbar, who also sits as officer-in-charge of Comelec Baguio and Benguet, said they have started their trainings of some 3,656 teachers who will serve as BEIs in the coming polls.

Balarbar said they have divided these teachers in several batches starting with Baguio City and will cover other municipalities until March 26.

He said two BEIs will be in charge of election procedures in 1,828 polling precincts in Baguio City and Benguet.

“We have scheduled them in several batches as in between there will be breaks in between these schedules as teachers will also have to attend to graduation preparations and the National Achievement Test,” he said.

He said based on guidelines they have to train at least two BEIs and the Department of Science and Technology will have to certify at least one of the teachers as Information Technology proficient.

He said the training will serve as a refresher for most of the teachers who have also served as BEIs in the previous elections.

The two-day training involves discussion on guidelines on voting, final testing and sealing of the precinct Count Optical Scan machines, counting and transmission of votes on the first day.

An actual application of these discussions through hands-on operation of the PCOS machines and a written exam will be conducted to ensure teachers are knowledgeable of election procedures on May 13. (JM Agreda)