Anatomy of the Ballot: What can you Expect to See on the Ballot?

We are just only two days before the elections in the Philippines and we can already feel the turmoil of support and the burning passion of the Filipino voters to cast their citizens vote for the National Government Elections 2022.

But before we go too excited about going to our polling areas on election day, it's important to prepare and know not just the candidate's names and numbers but also some ballot measures to guide us on what to do while casting our votes.

In order to do this, we need to know the different parts of the ballot to familiarize ourselves with what to expect while voting. That is why we grab a photo sample of a ballot for Election 2022 and try to anatomize its different parts.

Parts of a Ballot

On this election day, having an oversight not just with your chosen candidates but as well as with the ballot measures is important as a responsible voter. Below are the different parts of the ballots in a glimpse:

An overview of the different parts of a ballot.

1. Timing Marks

2. QR Code

3. Ballot Title

4. Voting Precinct ID

5. Locality

6. Instructions to Voters

7. Contest Header

   7.1 Position to choose on the ballot

   7.2 Number of candidates to select on the ballot

8. Candidates' Name

Different sections of a ballot and their description

As Filipino citizens who will choose the next elected officials in our country, it is important that we make an initiative to at least have some ideas about the different sections of the ballot before the election day. Don't forget to check out these sections before filling out your ballot this May 9. Here are the different ballot sections and their descriptions:

1. Timing Marks

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look at the Timing Marks section.

These are the black line that you can see on all corners of your ballot paper and one important part of the ballot measures. This is one of the security features of the ballot paper that will help the Voting Counting Machines or VCMs in reading your ballot. Be careful not to put any unnecessary marks or dirt to ensure that your vote will be counted but the machine.

Every ballot paper has a QR Code. This is another security feature of our ballots to help the election department and the voters as well to track their ballot from start to finish.

2. QR Code

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look at the QR Code section.

Every ballot paper has a QR Code. This is another security feature of our ballots to help the election department and the voters as well to track their ballot from start to finish.

3. Ballot Title

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look at the ballot title section.

A ballot title is the official short summary of a ballot measure that appears on the ballot. This contains the Date of the Election Day and what kind of election you are participating in. Therefore, for the 2022 Elections, it must state, MAY 9, 2022 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS.

4. Voting Precinct ID

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look at the Voting Precinct ID section.

This is another section in your ballot that is important for you to know as a responsible voter. This section tells you Clustered Precinct ID in which you are casting your vote and the precincts in this cluster. Try to check if your precinct is included in the cluster indicated here.

5. Locality

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look on the locality section.

This section shows the place where the ballot will be used. This must also state the barangay, the city or municipality, and the province wherein you will cast your vote.

6. Instructions to Voters

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look on the Instructions to Voters section.

These are the general instructions on how you will fill out the ballots and cast your votes. It also includes reminders like you need to completely blacken the circle next to the number and name of the candidate that you want to vote for. It also tells voters to only use the pens provided in your polling area and make sure not to overvote.

7. Contest Header

Anatomy of the ballot: An overview of Contest Header section.

This part of the ballot is used to categorize the different positions and the candidate's name running for that position. It's important for you as a voter to read this first before you blacken the circles so that you know that you are voting the right name for the position.

7.1. Position to choose on the ballot

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look on the Contest Header section's postiion to choose on the ballot.

For the 2022 Election, the positions you will see in the Contest Header and you have to vote for are the President, Vice President, Senators, Congressman, Governor, Vice Governor, Board Members, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilors, and Partylists.

7.2. Number of candidates to select on the ballot

Next to the position to choose on the ballot, you will see the number of candidates to select on the ballot. Make sure to only choose the exact number indicated on the Contest Header or your vote for that position will not be counted by the machine.

Here are the numbers that you need to vote for each position:

• President: Vote for 1

• Vice President: Vote for 1

• Senators: Vote for 12

• Congressman: Vote for 1

• Governor: Vote for 1

• Vice Governor: Vote for 1

• Board Members: Vote for 4

• Mayor: Vote for 1

• Vice Mayor: Vote for 1

• Councilors: Vote for 8

• Partylists: Vote for 1

8. Candidate's name

Anatomy of the ballot: A closer look on the Candidate's Name section.

This section occupies most of the space of your ballot. Indicated here are the designated numbers and names of the people who are seeking nomination or election to a specified office. These names are listed in alphabetical order based on their surnames. All of these candidates have met the legal requirements to run for the local or national position that they are aiming for to have their names printed on the ballot.

We hope that we have already taken our responsibilities and have already prepared a copy of the list of the candidates that we will vote for this coming election. Let's practice our rights as Filipino citizens and together decide on the next representatives and leaders of our country in this 2022 Election.

And most importantly, don't forget to wear your masks and follow the safety and health protocols in your community this election day.