NATIONAL ELECTION 2010..... I VOTED

May 10, 2010, its the National Election in my country Philippines.Got up early to prepare myself in going to the voting precint  where I will vote. I'm quite excited and a little bit worried because it will be the first time that we will go for automated voting. It means, the voting procedure will be electronically done. You will insert your ballots inside the PICOS machine (Precinct Count Optical Scan machines). Before, we are doing a manual count which take a month before you know the result of the election. With the automated counting Commission on Election assures us that we will know the results in one to two days.

While riding in a jeepney, I checked my bag if my two valid ID's are there and my digital camera. I observed people going out in their  house and trailing on the same way to their respective voting places early since it is expected to be a hot sunny day. I will be voting in Quezon City. 

Don Alejandro Roces High School in Quezon City,
my voting precint. It has a festive mood. I arrived there around 8:30 am. 

 To my surprise many people are already jampacked in every room. I do have my apprehensions if I will pursue. Have a deep breath... I went on the challenge. I took a hard time looking for my name in the lists.
Some people are sensitive but most of them bumping me plus the heat of the sun add more desperation        to me. 

I decided to take the stairs and look for my name on the second floor of the school finding that there are more people there in a long line of voters. I stared to look for my name and a watcher noticed me and asked the street of my residence. He pointed the last room on the other end of the building. As I trail my way there....one of my used to be neighbor saw me and he guided me going to the right precint. I was very happy seeing my name written in the no.1 slot on the lists. Yes, happy seeing my name but another agony is the long line of voters waiting for their turn to vote. I started walking towards the end of the line when I saw another two neighbors and sharing some little news. She suggested to bring me infront and ask for assistance since I do have disability. God was so good, the watcher immediately told me to sit and wait for a while. I learned that senior citizens and people with disabilities were given an assistance. Sad to say not all precints observed that since there are many people are very angry for the long line of waiting.

The teachers are very accommodating to me. They assisted me and patiently guided me. Finally the ballot was in my hand. I took my seat to the nearest chair.As I started to shade the oval shape and it took me quite a hard time shading it because its too small. I was too conscious because in one single mistake you dont have any chance to be given to vote again.

As was a bit tense when finally I went to the PICOS Machine and started to insert my cast ballot. I got nervous when the PICOS Machine rejected my cast ballot! "Oh my!", I exclaimed. " Anong nangyari?" (What happened?) "Anong mali?" (What went wrong? ). The teacher was so cool and immediately assisted me. He just said, "baligtarin natin baka yun ang gusto." (lets insert it the other way around, it might work) He inserted the ballot and finally I saw the word "CONGRATULATIONS" your vote is counted. I clapped my hands and felt relieved. They put the indelible ink in my forefinger nail after I put my thumbmark on the voters lists beside my name.

 
Here it is ! the sign that I VOTED in the First Electronic Counting of National Election 2010. If you want to know whom I voted for......That would be a personal thing with me. 


Just hoping that the next President of the Philippines will be Pro-Life in Heart and Mind.God bless the Philippines!!!!!