Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada advised all voters to be early to their respective polling places today to avoid long queues for the nationwide barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, as he reminded the public to be responsible voters and elect only officials with integrity and responsible leaders.
The mayor is expected to cast his vote at around 10 a.m. at Burgos Elementary School in Altura, Sta. Mesa at Bgy. 581.
Millions of registered voters are expected to troop to polling places to cast their votes for their village chairman, councilors and youth leaders, the city chief executive said.
The former president directed Manila Police District Director Chief Supt. Joel Napoleon ‘Jigs’ Coronel to ensure and maintain peace and order and to keep security in all polling places in Manila where more than one-million voters are expected to cast their ballots.
Estrada reminded all Manilenos to avoid drinking liquor or carrying deadly weapons during Election Day.
He said school-teachers who will serve as election officers will be ready to assist voters by guiding them with the proper way to fill up their ballots.
Erap also advised all teachers to do their job honestly and be vigilant against opportunists who may create trouble.
He said that if there will be no hitches, voting centers may already be open as early as 7 a.m.
Voters will have eight hours before the electoral board will close the precincts at 3 p.m.
However, those who are near the polling centers at closing time will still be accommodated.
“The poll clerk should see to it that those who are still lining up even after 3 p.m. will still be accommodated because that’s really the usual scenario. We really have last-minute voters. But we will still accommodate them,” the mayor added.