PPCRV advocates use of auto system in barangay, SK polls

MANILA, Philippines – Election watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) yesterday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to utilize the Automated Election System (AES) for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October.

PPCRV chair Henrietta De Villa said it would be better if pre-printed ballots under the AES would be used in the Oct. 25 polls to allow voters to familiarize with the new system.

“That will be getting them used to filling up the ballot in an automated system because definitely in (the) 2013 (elections) it would again be automated,” De Villa said.

De Villa stressed pre-printed ballots would make it easier for voters since it is shorter.

“It won’t be as terrible as the election last May which was very long because of the party-list. Now, it would be more standard (in size)…that would be easier for the voters,” she said.

The Comelec is set to decide in the next few days what form of ballot would be used.

The Comelec is choosing between the pre-printed ballot where the voting could be done by shading the boxes, or the manual ballot-type where the voter would write down the names of their chosen candidates.

Comelec officials said they would prefer the manual type of balloting for the barangay and SK elections since it has less logistical problems.

De Villa, however, said the automated system should be given consideration for the October elections.

“I’m sure even the PPCRV coordinators would say that it’s worth the budget or amount that it would cost,” she said.