PPCRV pushes ‘kodigo’ to prevent spoiling of votes

A Church-based poll watchdog group advised voters Friday to prepare and bring "kodigos," or lists of candidates they will vote for, as a vote protection measure come election day. Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) chairwoman Henrietta de Villa said the move will also minimize the clogging of voters’ precincts on May 10. "Pagpunta sa presinto magdala kayo ng listahan. May peligro lalo na sa mga kandidato pagka-senador na sobra ang bilang ng mase-shade na oval, di mabibilang ang boto ninyo sa pwestong iyan (When you go to the precincts, bring your lists of candidates you will vote for. There is always a danger you may shade too many ovals and void your vote. This is particularly true in the case of voting for senators)," De Villa said in an interview on dwIZ radio. The PPCRV is in charge of maintaining holding areas in voting precincts. De Villa noted that only 15 to 20 voters can enter the actual precinct at any time, and other voters have to stay in holding areas. During their stay in holding areas, voters will get last-minute reminders from the PPCRV’s volunteers on how to vote, De Villa said. "Dapat makita ng botante ang kanilang presinto. Ang botante di nagtityaga, at basta nalang aalis, that would be a disenfranchisement (Voters should also locate their precincts immediately. Voters are usually not too patient and may go away if they do not immediately find their names on the list. That would be a disenfranchisement)," she added. On the other hand, de Villa reiterated the PPCRV’s advice to voters not to be swayed by endorsements and surveys. "Huwag magpapadala sa survey o endorsement. Magkaroon ng sariling kamalayan sino ang karapat-dapat sa inyong balota (Do not be swayed by surveys and endorsements. Make your own decisions on who you will vote for)," she said. Meanwhile, De Villa said they will continue their mock polls and demonstrations in mall tours. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV