Lifestyle

How to prepare for Philippine Elections

Election day is a very important day for every Filipino. It is patriotism in action, as we elect people who will steer our country towards a bright future. It is a challenge, as we ponder who would be suitable to guide and represent us in Congress. So if you’re voting, you should be prepared!

Here are some things you might want to think about.

Before Election Day:

1. Know your voting precinct and its address.

Whether you are a newly registered voter or a veteran, knowing your precinct is a very important thing to remember. Your logistics and schedule will depend on this as well. To know your precinct, you can visit your Local Government unit, or check online at the precinct finder.

2. Prepare your list of candidates.

Bring a list of the candidates you want to vote for. You are allowed to take this with you inside the voting precinct. Prepare your list as early as possible, and really meditate on them with your mind, heart and soul! When you go to your voting station, just shade them in.

Your list must consist of the following:

Twelve candidates for the Senate of the Philippines
Your District Representatives of the Philippines
All provincial-level elected positions in the provinces of the Philippines
All city-level elected positions in the cities of the Philippines
All municipal-level elected positions in the municipalities of the Philippines

3. Prepare a survival kit.

Since the coming election is a national election, there will be a big crowd gathering to vote as well. There will be a lot of people, so that means a lot of waiting. Prepare a survival kit! It should comprise of the following:

Water – Water is the best choice! It truly cleanses your system, and will not make you go to the bathroom as often as other beverages will.
Snacks – You will feel peckish! You’ll be glad you packed a snack, so you have something to munch while waiting for your turn.
Power bank – You’re probably going to read, browse social media, review your list, or play games on your phone while waiting. In case you run out of battery, have your power bank fully charged, Don’t forget your cable!
Mini electric fan – It will be hot outside, and not everyone is lucky enough to be assigned to a well-ventilated voting precinct.

4. Have a good night’s sleep.

Having a good night’s sleep not only energizes you, but it also allows you to have a clear head when making decisions on the big day.

On Election Day:

1. Go early!

There will be tons of people who would like to vote early so they can enjoy the rest of the day. Be there as early as possible, so you can finish voting quickly.

2. Let cooler heads prevail.

Do not let your emotions get the better of you in case there are some hiccups during the elections. But do take note of all the irregularities.

3. Come in with a purpose, leave it all there.

It is your time to shine! You got registered. You’re now sitting in that chair, with the Comelec folder covering your ballot. Remember the list you made? Now is the time to bring it out. Cleanly shade the circles of the candidates in your list. The entire voting process should take you no more than 10 minutes. When you’re done, insert your ballot in the machine, have your finger marked with indelible ink, and exit.

4. Wait for your companions away from the voting precinct.

If you went to the voting precinct with friends or family, decide on where you’re going to meet after voting. Choose a spot far from your voting precinct, so that you’re not crowding out the people who still need to vote. Move out of the way so that you’re not a hindrance.