Comelec readies security for delivery of poll paraphernalia

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Elections in Cebu City has started the security preparations for the delivery of election paraphernalia starting next month.

City North District election officer Marcel Sarno said they have coordinated with the police and the city treasurer’s office for the security arrangement. The treasurer’s office will take custody of the paraphernalia until their distribution to the members of electoral board.

“Mas maayo man gud na naa ta’y coordination sa police kay ang kanang atong machines ibilin na didto sa voting centers niya ang mo gwardiya ana ang mga police (It is better to coordinate with the police because our machines will be left at the voting centers and the police will be in charged in the security),” Sarno said.

He said the members of the electoral board should also see to it that they have the names of the police officers assigned to secure the paraphernalia. Sarno said he initially discussed the matter with the police but no details yet on the security deployment.

He said the Comelec and other concerned agencies will meet the police to finalize the preparations. Sarno said the delivery of accountable forms like the official ballots is expected few days prior to the May 13 elections.

He said they are almost done training the more than 2, 000 electoral board members. The training includes the operation of the vote counting machine.

 “Partially nahuman na, I said partially tungod kay we will also conduct final trainings, final instructions kay basin naa’y mga changes sa atoang mga resolution,” Sarno said.

The trainings are being supervised by the Department of Science and Technology

(DOST), which will issue a certificate to qualified members of the electoral board.

Meanwhile, Sarno will assume his new assignment starting today as the election officer of Cebu City South District. He will temporarily replace Atty. Edwin Cadungog who was transferred to Mandaue City.

Sarno will be replaced by election officer Chauncey Boholst from Carcar City. The reshuffling is only temporary, they will report back to their respective assignments after the May 13 elections. — FPL (FREEMAN)