THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday announced that as a guide for the 2025 elections, every registered Filipino voter will receive a voter information sheet (VIS).
At the same time, Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia reiterated his call for the appointment of “insiders” to replace two retiring poll commissioners this February.
“We will commit that the Comelec will be able to distribute the 68,421,000 voter information sheets nationwide,” Garcia said .
The VIS, according to Garcia, is a four-page translated guide that includes the voter’s name, the polling place number and address, voting instructions, and other reminders. The names of the local and national candidates are on the document.
Garcia noted that the VIS can serve as a guideline for a more efficient voting process for voters.
He emphasized the advantage of having a pre-prepared list of candidates’ names for the voter’s reference during the election.
The Comelec chief also said they will not remove the online precinct finders.
However, he said it is better if the voters have a physical copy of the information on their polling precincts.
The local Comelec officers were also instructed that no barangay officials or local government representatives are permitted to distribute the VIS to voters.
Garcia also said that the Comelec will commence printing the VIS on Sunday, with the process extending from February to March.
He said the poll body aims to start the nationwide distribution of the VIS by April.
Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Socorro Inting are set to retire on Feb. 2. This leaves the Comelec with only five commissioners with about three months left before the 2025 May elections.
Garcia sai he is appealing for the immediate appointment of replacements for the two commissioners after their retirement and the adjournment of Congress.
Congress will adjourn on Feb. 8 to give way for the campaign period. Session resumes on June 2.
The poll chief said the appointees could possibly from the Comelec’s main or field office.
“Additionally, there will be balance because there will be both a male and a female he added.
According to Garcia, Malacañang might also decide to appoint an acting commissioner who is ready to get to work right away.
“A regular appointee requires Congress confirmation to be able to work immediately,” he pointed out.
Garcia assured the public that there will be no disruptions in election preparations despite the retirement of the two commissioners.