Reality check

The problems that cropped up at the polling precincts were really more on human error. To put it bluntly, these troubles were largely due to lack of common sense.

Being a declared non-working holiday, the just concluded midterm elections held all over our country were like a typical fiesta celebration that we have every three years. But unlike the previous election exercises that we had in May 2010, this year’s elections were less colorful.

The apparently stricter enforcement of election rules perhaps could explain the staid atmosphere at the polling places. This we observed when we cast our votes last Monday. There was notable reduced proliferation of campaign posters and tarpaulins and even sample ballots and other handouts given to voters at the polling precincts.

I don’t know how it was in other places. But in Las Piñas City school where my precinct was, there was really a remarkable compliance with election rules regarding illegal campaign materials. Or perhaps is it because of the economic difficulties that made it expensive for candidates to spend more than what is allowed by election laws?

Whatever the reason, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headed by chairman Sixto Brillantes deserves at least a pat on the back if only for this seeming success in this particular regard. It was very obvious this year’s conduct of automated elections for the second time without big-time hassles augurs well for our country. For one, we are getting used to remarkably less prolonged agony waiting for election results.

Thanks to much maligned precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines. Except for several malfunctioning PCOS machines, the results of local elections were out in less than 24 hours and winners officially proclaimed. After getting the go-signal of the Comelec en banc yesterday, many of the newly elected local officials were immediately proclaimed by their respective board of election inspectors (BEIs).           

The seven-man poll body, convening as the national board of canvassers, hopes to officially proclaim today the top 12 winners in the Senate polls. Brilllantes earlier promised to proclaim within 48 hours the winners of the Senate elections. Initially, the Comelec chief said they may first proclaim the top eight Senate winners and the last slots later. This is because the results have narrow margin of votes for the last four slots.

It seems the Comelec is able to keep their promised timetable despite a number of reported troubles during election day. Defective PCOS machines to delays in delivery of election paraphernalia, disenfranchised voters and oversized ballots were just among these incidents that marred an otherwise generally peaceful and orderly elections.

The problems that cropped up at the polling precincts were really more on human error. To put it bluntly, these troubles were largely due to lack of common sense.

From personal experience in my polling precinct, someone from the BEI came up with a bright idea to issue numbers to voters. This is supposedly intended to facilitate the order of voting. The voter will be given a number after he or she finds his or her name in the Comelec list of registered voters in that precinct. After getting the number, it is only then the voter would line up.

While people look for their names, the line grew longer and longer as each await their turn to look for their names at the voters’ list posted at the door of the precinct. There is no such provision in the Comelec rules and regulations for BEIs to come up with their own bright ideas.

A simple checking of the names of voters in the registration list by the pollwatchers could do the job. And common sense dictates you don’t post the voters’ registry list on the door when there is only one door available for both entry and exit.

Worse is when you have unenlightened pollwatchers assigned to your precinct. While they may be well-meaning, their stupidity adds to the troubles that erupt. With humidity rising and tensions running high, one could easily lose one’s temper when encountering such idiots.

It was a good thing I was in a joking mood when an obviously naïve pollwatcher – a young lad – approached me while waiting in line. He told me that I could go to the “senior citizens” lane. Instead of feeling saved, imagine my chagrin! “Son, you might be added to the list of election-related violence,” I wisecracked. However, it seemed the poor guy did not understand my sarcasm.

“Is there something wrong with your eyesight that you cannot see I could not possibly be a senior citizen yet?” Scratching his head, the lad meekly replied that he was just doing what the BEI instructed him. I tried to explain in simple language that senior citizens are people from age 60 and above. And if you’re not sure, I advised him, ask for their senior citizen’s card.

It is not being vain and neither am I in a state of denial about my age. No need for reality check on that.

Levity aside, the recently held elections were also less colorful not because of poor eyesight of many people. Politically speaking, it’s because we were given a choice limited to candidates who are yellow and the rest, more yellow. Of course, this refers to color identified with President Benigno “Noy” Aquino III whose administration-backed Team P-Noy candidates carried his yellow political hue.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) led by Vice President Jejomar Binay also carries yellow plus blue as the official colors of his PDP-Laban party. On the other hand, fellow UNA leaders, former President Joseph Estrada and Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino carry the orange and blue of their party.

After 90 days of official campaign period, last Monday’s election finally settled who would make it in the “magic 12” winning circle in the Senate race. P-Noy wished a self-fulfilling prophecy of a 12-0 sweep of the Senate race. It did not come true. As of press time yesterday, the Team P-Noy sweep was frustrated by at least three UNA senatorial candidates.

All told, last Monday’s elections were like one day-long escape from reality. But at the end of the day — to borrow P-Noy’s favorite line – the reality check kicks in. There are just so much problems that need to be addressed. But don’t expect quick fix solutions even after we have elected the new set of public officials once they come into power.