Opinion > Columns
Overhaul Comelec

IF all Filipino voters were to do a customer service test of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) since they became voters, where do you think Comelec would land? How was your experience with Comelec since you started voting? With your collective experience, would you still vote? Do you think Comelec can be reformed, or we need to overhaul it to get our elections to be voter friendly? How do we make it efficient and effective? There has been no election cycle without issues. Every three years, the Comelec finds itself incapable of ensuring an orderly, efficient and credible EDay.

An election administration inherently handles electoral registration and determines how votes are cast and counted. Election administration can affect turnout. This is seen by the introduction of voter ID requirements, changes made to election administration, introduction of individual voter registration and use of automatic voter registration. It is a 'complex, multistage process, involving registration, structuring the voting process and tabulations, and auditing the results.' Failures can result in maladministration or claims of electoral mismanagement and fraud.