The Commission on Elections is aiming to proclaim the winning candidates of Bacolod City in the May 9 polls as soon as possible, City Elections Officer Revo Sorbito said on Tuesday, May 3.
Barring any technical malfunctions in their Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) and SD cards, Sorbito said they hope to have early trends by 10 to 11 p.m. on Election Day if everything goes well.
“We want the elections to conclude as early as possible,” he said, when asked if the vote count would be finished by the morning of May 10.
Voting could end at 9 p.m. in some areas in the city on May 9, he said.
Acting Provincial Elections Supervisor Roberto Salazar said two replacement VCMs have been allocated to Bacolod in case of breakdowns.
Sorbito said the early delivery of election forms, including ballots, and supplies on May 8 has been approved by the Comelec in six distant polling areas in Bacolod City.
The rest of the election forms and supplies will be delivered to polling areas on Election Day, he added.
He reiterated that no COVID-19 vaccination cards or negative test results for the virus will be required of voters.
However, he stressed the need for voters to wear masks and observe social distancing when they vote to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases after Election Day.
Sorbito also stressed the need to observe health protocols, especially at two large rallies of the Team Asenso and Grupo Progreso before the ban on campaigning that starts Sunday, May 8.
“We remind everyone to hold peaceful activities,” he said.
The two large political parties in Bacolod are set to hold their final rallies or miting de avances on Saturday, May 7.*