Image capture of video by Rappler via YouTube channelMANILA, Philippines — The passage of the Election Automation Law (RA 8436) in 1997, marked a significant change in the electoral process. However, in the 1998 elections, the Comelec was only able to use the automated process on limited Mindanao provinces — this failure was largely attributed to funding and logistical issues.
Then, in 2007 came Republic Act 9369 (amending RA 8436), a statute which practically replaced its predecessor. Its purpose (quoting the act itself) is:
“To encourage transparency, credibility, fairness and accuracy of elections”
In 2010, the Philippine voters were introduced to the first nationwide automated polls, which seated the incumbent president, Benigno Aquino III. The polls met with a lot of criticisms and difficulties. 2013’s automated elections, although a big improvement from the previous one, was not spared of issues as well.
The upcoming May 9 election is no different. Several issues have bombarded the election commission as the poll comes nearer. Major issues the Comelec recently faced:
- January 7, 2016 – Commissioner Guanzon field a comment (on Grace Poe’s disqualification case) to the Supreme Court without consulting the entire poll body)
- March 17, 2016 – With a vote 12-0, the Supreme Court ultimately ordered the printing of voter’s receipt, which according to Comelec extends the voting hours
- March 27, 2016 – Hacktivist groups pried into the commission’s database (Anonymous Philippines) and then leaked the database on the internet (Lulzsec Pilipinas)
Another uphill battle the Comelec is facing as the election looms are social media misinformation; e.g., false claims of election fraud, viral photos of discrepancies in the VCMs. The proliferation of misinformation are expected to thrive long after the election is completed; most probably even after winners are proclaimed.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, misinformation moves that aim to topple the efforts of Comelec to hold free, clean and honest elections, are criminal acts. The Comelec is fearful of this misinformation as it could tarnish their integrity; however, they also understand that such activities are anticipated given the electoral atmosphere.
James Jimenez, spokesperson of Comelec, in an interview by Rappler (May 8, 2016), appealed to netizens to “chill, dudes”.
[NOTE: This is a community-submitted article]
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