Comelec: “No-El” scenario a remote possibility

CEBU, Philippines - The regional director of the Commission on Elections in Central Visayas does not discount the possibility of a no-election scenario, albeit remote, because of the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the poll body’s “No Bio, No Boto” policy.

Comelec-7 director Raffy Olaño said “No-El” is one possibility but it is very remote because something has already been done about it.

 “Well it’s a possibility pero malayong possibility. Kasi right now, may mga ginagawa kaming  paraan para ma address yung TRO na yun,” Olaño said.

He said the poll body has other means to include voters without biometrics with those with already have complete data.

 “May  list of voters ang Comelec with biometrics and meron din kaming listahan ng voters which will include those without biometrics. However, this is still the plan,” Olaño said.

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista earlier said that the May 9, 2016 elections may be postponed if the high tribunal does not lift the TRO because it is affecting its preparation.

Olaño said IT department of the Comelec is coming up with a program to restore the names of voters without biometrics. 

The Supreme Court en banc issued a TRO on December 1 against the “No Bio, No Boto” policy following a petition questioning its constitutionality.

 Meanwhile, Olaño said the Comelec needs media to educate and guide the public whom to vote for among the candidates seeking to be elected into government office.

Olaño was the guest during the 41st Quarterly Meeting of the Cebu Citizens-Press Council held yesterday. He said the poll body needs the help of the media especially in the upcoming presidential debate in the Visayas which will be held in Cebu.

 “Voters should be informed kung sino (ang) mga kandidato na pili-in nila. Kung ano ang mga plataporma ng mga kandidato. At hindi kaya ng Comelec lang, kailangan talaga ang media,” said Olaño. — /FPL (FREEMAN)