Reminders on the eve of BSKE 2023

A few hours left until eligible Filipinos once again exercise their right to vote and elect leaders, young and old, to serve in their respective barangays. What should voters bear in mind for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday?

Check your voter status and precinct

First things first, before leaving the house, know where your polling precinct is and the status of your voting profile. You can find this out by going to the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) online precinct finder.

Remember the do's and don't's when voting

1. Use the folder to cover your ballot.
2. Avoid erasures and leaving unnecessary marks on the ballot.
3. After voting, submit the ballot and leave the voting precinct to make space for other voters.
4. Do not vote more than once or be a substitute for other voters.
5. Do not tear or destroy the ballot.
6. Do not take a photo or a selfie with the ballot.
7. Do not hesitate to ask the precinct personnel for guidance.

FYI on BSKE

Voting will be held from 7 a.m. up until 3 p.m.

Voters aged 15 to 17 will receive an SK ballot, while voters aged 18 to 30 will receive both an SK and a regular barangay ballot.

Voters aged 31 and above will receive only the barangay ballot.

Counting and canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates will immediately proceed after the closing of polls.

Comelec said that BSKE candidates with the highest votes may immediately and effectively assume office.

This means that each barangay will have a new barangay chairman, and seven barangay kagawad, as well as an SK chairperson, and seven SK kagawad to serve their communities.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Friday said it is “all systems go” for the security of the BSKE, with 187,600 personnel set to be deployed.

Comelec chairman George Garcia also said Sunday that the poll body is 100% prepared for the BSKE, with the election paraphernalia set to be delivered in all polling precincts by Monday morning.

He also encouraged eligible individuals to exercise their right to vote and to do so in a right way.

“Bumoto nang tama. Kung ano ang tama, dikta na ‘yan ng konsensya niyo ‘yan, ng puso at isip,” he said.

(Vote wisely. What is right will be dictated by your conscience, heart, and mind.)

Around 250,000 to 300,000 volunteers across the country are also expected to join monitoring the developments for the BSKE, according to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) on Sunday.

October 30, 2023 has been declared as a special non-working day throughout the country for the conduct of the BSKE. — BM, GMA Integrated News