Comelec to find more comfortable venues to address persistent voting woes

February 2, 2025 , 06:49 PM

By Rodolfo Dacleson II

(February 2, 2025) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday revealed its plan to conduct elections in bigger venues to provide the public with a “greater voting experience” amid persisting polling woes.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia said they already instructed their local offices to help in the initiative ahead of the upcoming midterm elections and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao elections.

“If we just remain using (school buildings in) barangays, the classrooms, and chairs there are small but tall and big people are the ones to use it, then the facilities will easily be damaged. We should now find other areas that are relatively comfortable for the voters,” said Garcia on TV5’s “The Grill.”

He noted that senior citizens and persons with disability, among vulnerable sectors, have struggled to access polling places.

“If we say we are friendly to vulnerable sectors, they should be provided the ease of voting, facility-wise and as to the time they are inside polling precincts,” added Garcia.

Section 154 of Article 13 of the Omnibus Election Code states that a voting venue should “comfortably” accommodate 40 voters simultaneously. It must also be located within the polling precinct’s territory with respect to the voters’ residence and along a public road.

Comelec, however, has repeatedly tapped schools to serve as polling precincts despite criticisms of being cramped, hot, and humid, leading to long lines and putting voters with medical conditions at risk.

During the voting day on May 12, only 10 voters could vote at once per polling venue.

The Comelec has also been hounded by the issue regarding awarding the automated election contract worth P18 billion to South Korean company Miru Systems.

It allegedly rigged the bidding process in favor of Miru Systems, with former lawmaker Edgar Erice petitioning before the Supreme Court to nullify the deal.

Last September, Saint Timothy Construction Company withdrew from its joint venture with Miru Systems due to its owners running in this year’s midterm elections.

(PM)

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