Manila: Registered voters now have different options to determine their assigned voting precincts during the May 12 elections, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said Wednesday. Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-Negros Island Region director, emphasized the benefits of the newly activated online precinct finder, which aims to facilitate easier access for voters to locate their polling centers ahead of the midterm polls.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castillano explained that the online precinct finder is part of Comelec's efforts to ensure that voters can directly know their voting center and precinct number. This year, the poll body has made this tool available to the public earlier than in previous elections.

Castillano also mentioned that the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is now responsible for hosting Comelec's website and online precinct finder. This move came after the platforms were hacked and compromised in 2016. He highlighted that one of the common issues on election day is the difficulty people face in finding their precincts, but Comelec has introduced various stages to help determine a voter's precinct number.

Voters have multiple ways to identify their polling precincts. They can visit the Comelec offices in the town or city where they are registered or refer to the Voter's Information Sheet (VIS), which is currently being distributed house-to-house by personnel hired by the poll body. The VIS includes a voter's personal information, assigned precinct number, names of candidates, voting instructions, and a sample ballot.

Additionally, voters can access hard copies of the registered voters' lists at assistance desks on election day, with support from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting. Castillano noted that at the precinct level, a computerized voters' list with pictures would be displayed to further aid voters.