ADDITIONAL security personnel will be deployed on election day in seven areas identified by the regional Commission on Elections (Comelec 7) office as Election Watchlist Areas (EWAS).
Regional Comelec Director Nick Jose Mendros said these areas were identified under category 1 or areas with intense political rivalry.
These areas are Bogo City, Daanbantayan, Medellin and Carmen in the north, Tuburan in the northwest, San Fernando in the south, and Dumanjug in the southwest.
But Mendros said nothing is final yet on the deployment of security personnel since the police and military are still finalizing their security plan.
Meanwhile, voters living in barangays near the five identified malls in Cebu province will enjoy air-conditioned comfort as they cast their ballots.
In yesterday’s 888 News Forum, Mendros identified only five malls in Cebu City that will be tapped as voting precincts.
These malls include SM City Cebu in Barangay Mabolo, Gaisano Metro Colon in Barangay Kamputhaw, Robinsons Cybergate in Barangay Santa Cruz, Robinsons Fuente in Barangay Capitol Site and Ayala Center Cebu in Barangay Luz.
Mendros said these malls met the space requirement of at least 63 square meters wide.
He said they are still waiting for the list from their central office to finalize which barangays can be allowed to vote in the malls.
Comelec said they will deputize some of the mall’s security personnel during the voting.
Like the police and military, they will be prohibited from going near the 15-meter radius of the polling center.