COVID proofing the 2022 elections
Democracy Watch extends its gratitude to the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation for starting the discussion on safe elections in 2022. We are less than a year away from elections and it is only fitting that we begin to prepare for this national event as early as possible. In line with this, Democracy Watch expresses support for the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) efforts to hold safe and fair elections in 2022 through the use of automation and use of other health and safety protocols.
Many countries around the world have pushed through with their elections during this pandemic, and the Philippines is set to follow suit. There is still a high interest among Filipinos to participate in the coming elections even with the presence of COVID-19. And indeed, the Commission on Elections is getting ready. The COMELEC is preparing for safe polls through different means, such as determining health and safety protocols, securing the necessary resources such as personal protective Equipment (PPEs) and sanitation materials, and extending voting hours.
Beyond this, the Philippines already has a practice that will significantly help with safety in the polling stations during this pandemic: election automation. In contrast to manual and hybrid election systems, Vote counting machines (VCMs) lessen the need for close contact between people. They reduce the time needed for an individual to be present in the polling station and minimize the need for close contact in the actual vote counting process.
We must not forget as well that citizens are satisfied with automation. In a Pulse Asia survey conducted after the 2019 midterm elections, 87% of Filipinos noted their satisfaction with the automated polling system. Moreover, 91% stated that they would like to see automated voting continue in future elections. 94% of respondents stated that the use of the VCM was easy as well.
Democracy Watch supports the COMELEC’s efforts and echoes their recommendations to COVID proof the 2022 elections by having longer voting hours and the strict implementation of health and safety standards as recommended by the experts.
Upholding the Filipino’s right to suffrage need not come at the expense of one’s safety. Automate the elections, exercise necessary health protocols, and help keep Filipinos safe.