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| #PHVote2016 |
Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy
and wise.
Indeed, especially if it is during an Election Day. I know,
I'm already 32 yrs. old and this is the first time for me to exercise my right
to suffrage due to the following reasons:
- Mismanagement of authorities that my
registration documents had to be reprocessed while I was in Abra for our
college thesis
- Lack of interest since my schedule was upside
down during my BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) years that I preferred to sleep and do other things than
register to vote.
So, after venturing to other careers, I was finally able to
find time, rather I had a lot of time to visit our organized City Hall,
therefore, I had finally completed my registration and biometrics and hopefully
I'll get my actual Voter's ID soon!
As a first time voter, I prepared myself by being informed
about the dos and don'ts imposed by the COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and
knowing each candidate based on their portfolio, moral acts and actual public
service. And I firmly believe that those candidates I have selected today truly
deserve the position they are running for and that they will greatly lead the
Philippines, one step at a time, to a positive and a progressive change. I felt
it as I look at my Voter's receipt. I'm glad that I did not encounter too much
hassle compared to others, or else!
Now I also understand the reason why others choose not to
vote. No matter how we try to modernize the equipment being used during
elections, we still have the same old low tech and unorganized system.
Sir/Ma'am, please do not forget that it should also be included in the
advancement of things. No one or nothing should be left behind. Little things
take for granted are the things that can pull you down or slow you down in the
course of life. Be it in terms of personal or career goals. I know this first
hand in many ways and situations. Since the choices I made have dictated the
life I'm living now.
I have said before that I wanted to be a Senior Citizen as
soon as I can but in a scenario like this, I wanted to be a Super Senior
Citizen. I pity them when the system plays them around and makes them feel
helpless. My mama is a senior citizen and she was eager to vote. Instead of
seeing guides or a map upon entering the school assigned to our barangay, we have
to check the posted list of voters on each classroom that shows our polling precinct
number.
Lo and behold! Her name was not on the list under her precinct
number. We asked some officials and confirmed that they don't have an access
via computer to easily search our inquiry. There was a section for PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) where you can
manually go over the paper copies of all the voters’ names. We confirmed with
our family friend that her name was also missing and she found out that it was
included on a different precinct number. I was thinking maybe, since my mother recently
became a senior citizen, COMELEC, decided to transfer her on a different polling
precinct number together with other Senior Citizens without even sending any
notice, great! And to my surprise, she was! I left her to the “new” polling
precinct assigned to her.
So, off I go and I went to my polling precinct upstairs.
There was also a man who had the same situation. His children's names were
listed except his wife's and his name. He approached one of the BEIs (Board of Election Inspectors) and went through the paper master
file list they have. He was also not on the list, therefore, the man wasn't
able to vote and he was upset that he has to waste his time searching where his
name got listed.
A vote missed, a vote wasted.
While I was waiting for my turn, I prayed that everything
will go smoothly and be followed as planned when my moment comes.
This is the outline version of what had happened to me:
- Presented
voter's slip and SSS ID
- On the list outside the polling precinct I was #62
- Confirmed that I am #82 on the master list
- Signed across my name and logged my name on a separate
bond paper that looks like for attendance purposes, there was one for the Males
and the other one noted for the Females
- Got my ballot, folder and marker
- Sat on the chair close to the window farther to
the ride side of the room
- Took my time in shading my bets cause I don't
want to get any error messages or other excuses
- I wanted it badly that my vote will be counted!
- A bit ticked off when someone tap her folder on
my table while I was writing, excuse me!?
- Ha ha, I was able to contain my emotion cause I
was focused on what I was doing
- The VCM (Vote Counting Machine) had a bit of an attitude like an
idle time or lag time error every after 2 ballots were fed. It was like wanting
a continuous feeding of papers to its mouth
- Finished! I had the same feeling when I was
taking an exam in school and I know I have given my all to answer every
question, didn't under or over vote (I have all the time, chance and power in
my hands now not to put it into waste or let the moment pass by for nothing)
and I am satisfied whatever the result will be because I know that my participation
in this event will be worth it
- Asked the BEI the next step
- Went forward to the VCM to feed my ballot
- Praying it will take it smoothly
- Gave back the folder and marker
- Allowed the VCM to take the paper instead of
shoving it to the feeder resulting to paper jam or possible errors
- Surprised when I got a message on the screen
that my “time has expired” while the entire ballot is going through the feeder
and the BEI assured me that it is okay
- Waited for my voting receipt
- Voila! It showed completely my selected
candidates, I'm a happy kid/voter inside
- Got inked, He he, but I felt I was up for a
manicure and presented my 2 hands to the BEI, she inked my left forefinger
instead of the right looking like my nail has a smudged eyeliner after crying
blue tears
- Folded the receipt and inserted it on the black receptacle
box
- Went outside the polling precinct and looked for
my mama (No time for Selfies or what not, I did not go there for a photo shoot,
I went there to vote!)
While I was looking for mama, the number of voters in the
school doubled! It pays to be early indeed! I also saw my friend in line &
I asked her if she saw my mother. She said that there were some inconsistencies
in the master list that my mama went towards the PPCRV to get assistance.
True to that, I saw my mother exhausted and disappointed.
She confirmed that her name was not on the masters list on both the “new” and
previous polling precinct numbers assigned to her and the BEIs advised her to
go back and forth for her to find out the real score. She has arthritis on her
knee joints and this charade made it distressing for her.
I’m not sure how COMELEC save or update their files, if they
have 2 separate files for the list outside the polling precinct and the ones
they use before you are allowed to vote. Should it be identical in the first
place? My father's name was included on the list and my mother is using the
same last name. How come it was not there? Was it accidentally deleted together
with the other registered voters whose names were also missing? Oh man, the
endless what ifs. Well, instead of bidding for the shirt/uniform/other paraphernalia,
I’m grateful that it was fortunately cancelled! It could have been beneficial
for all of us if you have spent your time organizing your files to end this
inconvenience especially to Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities. It
could have greatly changed your image for the better without even spending a
lot, if that was your only main concern.
Well, a vote missed, a vote wasted, again.
At the end of the
day, I can say that all is well. Let us continue on praying because it has not
ended yet until the proclamation day of the victors. At this time, I am opting
out to watch newsfeeds about violent happenings in other regions and delaying
tactics. (I’m thankful we do not have these kinds of nuisances in our place)
Thank you for your guidance, Jesus and Mama Mary.
God bless
the Philippines.
