Comelec to conduct mock polls in Pangasinan

CALASIAO, Pangasinan, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will conduct a mock election in the cities of Dagupan and Alaminos on Feb. 13.

Marino Salas, Pangasinan provincial election supervisor, said at least 100 registered voters in Barangays Pugaro and Poblacion in Dagupan and Linmansangan and Poblacion in Alaminos would take part in the mock polls.

Salas said voters would test the new machines, including the vote counting machines, to be used in the May elections.

The Comelec also conducted a public hearing on the proposed mall voting at the Robinson’s Place here yesterday.

“We are here to listen if you are for or against mall voting… We will try to answer your questions... we will make our report and submit it to Manila. It will be the commission en banc who will decide whether mall voting will push through,” Noli Pipo, Comelec regional election director, said.

Pipo said the poll body plans to transfer clustered precincts with 1,500 registered voters, but noted that only those living near malls would be affected.