THE Commission on Elections is not keen on holding vaccination drives in voting centers during election day since it could mislead voters into thinking vaccination is a requirement for voting.
Comelec Commissioner George M. Garcia expressed his reservation on the proposal of the Department of Health (DOH) in a television interview on Tuesday.
“We have to carefully study this as this might mislead our voters in the belief that vaccination is needed for the exercise of the right of suffrage,” Garcia said.
He noted DOH must get the approval of Comelec if it will push through with its plan as part of government efforts to inoculate more people against Covid-19.
“The DOH must first secure an approval from the Comelec, especially if it will be done inside a voting center,” Garcia said.
The poll official issued the statement after an old newscast report recently went viral on social media platform TikTok, which said voters must present their vaccine cards to be allowed to vote.
Comelec was quick to clarify that voters will be allowed to vote regardless if they are vaccinated or not against Covid-19.