Additional voters education materials distributed

CEBU, Philippines - Seeing the important role of the private sector, non-government organizations and the media in the upcoming election, more voters education materials are being spread today by different groups as an initiative to help the public get ready for the automated polls.

The Foundation for Communication Initiatives and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting have series of events in line focused on introducing materials that would help the public get ready for the upcoming elections.

Maribel Buenaobra, director for programs of The Asia Foundation, said that they see the huge role that different sectors play and that they want to tap the different sectors in the dissemination of information in terms of poll automations, which is new to the country.

Materials include audio-visual presentations given to media and other groups which have seven and two minutes presentations educating the public in poll automation.

Buenaobra said that it is only a little over a month to election day but they are optimistic that with the initiative of the different groups in spreading information about the new way of voting, it would be enough to have a successful election.

“Each institution would have a role to play,” she said adding that not only the lead offices that are in-charge that should make an effort like the Commission on Elections but the NGOs, the media, and the church as well.

Fr. Lito Tulipas, member of the Core Group of the Cebu-Citizen’s Involvement for Maturation of People Empowerment and Liberation, said that they are also very optimistic with the coming election and the information that have been produced over the months about poll automation.

He said that if the different initiatives would be sustained, it would have a very positive effect since he sees that the public has high consideration and acceptance for poll automation.

However, Fr. Tulipas said that even if poll automation would be pushed through, there is still an importance in educating the people since vote buying and intimidation could still happen even if poll automation would take place.

This is why, Fr. Tulipas said, they are continually urging the public to volunteer as watch guards for the upcoming election by joining C-Cimpel where they are hopeful to have 20,000 or more volunteers this year.– AJ de la Torre/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)