THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday, September 18, 2021, said it would not allow coronavirus-positive individuals inside voting centers and isolation polling places (IPP) in the May 2022 elections.
The Comelec has also ruled out online voting for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients.
The IPPs are reserved for voters who present Covid-19 symptoms on Election Day.
"To be clear, such IPPs are intended to serve persons, who present symptoms upon their arrival at voting center on Election Day,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.
Jimenez issued the statement to assure the Department of Health (DOH), whose officials earlier raised concerns that confirmed Covid-19 patients might go out on Election Day to cast their votes when they should be in isolation.
Jimenez also said online voting for Covid-19 patients is not allowed by law.
"The Comelec welcomes DOH's statement regarding the possibility of voting by Covid-19 positive voters," he said.
"Unfortunately, these are not authorized by law and will not be employed on May 9, 2022," added Jimenez. (HDT / SunStar Philippines)