BSKE 2023. A woman chooses from a list of candidates as she casts her vote on Monday (Oct. 30, 2023) at Lahuerta Elementary School in Parañaque City for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. Elections watchdog National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections said there are “no issues” so far in the pilot testing of automated voting at the Dasmariñas Elementary School in Cavite. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA – Elections watchdog National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) on Monday said there are “no issues” so far in the pilot testing of automated voting at the Dasmariñas Elementary School in Cavite.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has identified three pilot areas for the automated election in preparation for the upcoming 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) -- two in Dasmariñas City, Cavite and one in Quezon City.
“In Dasmariñas Elementary School in Cavite where the automated election system is being pilot-tested for the BSKE, NAMFREL observers reported that there has been no issues so far, besides some confusion among the members of the EB (electoral boards) as to the start of voting, but voting still started on time,” the NAMFREL said.
The 2025 barangay elections will be automated nationwide should the pilot testing prove successful in Barangay Poblacion Zone 2 and Paliparan 3 in Dasmariñas City, and Barangay Pasong Tamo in Quezon City, the Comelec earlier said.
The pilot testing of automated voting for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) at Pasong Tamo Elementary School in Quezon City encountered only minor glitches like power interruption and paper jamming of vote counting machines.
Barangay Board of Canvassers (BBOC) chief Edna Bañaga said automated system remains more efficient and faster due to the absence of human interpretation of handwritten ballots.
She said a total of 133 secure digital (SD) cards, including 72 in Pasong Tampo, were used for the pilot testing of the automated voting in select Quezon City areas.
Other Quezon City’s polling precincts that used VCM are CBE Town covered court and Judge Feliciano Belmonte Sr. High School.
High voter turnout
In its initial observation of the 2023 BSKE, NAMFREL noted that the long overdue polls are so far “generally peaceful, orderly”.
Across the country, NAMFREL observers reported that “there has been a high turnout of voters, especially among senior citizens who turned up early outside voting centers prior to the start of voting” in most voting centers.
“In general, regular voters outnumber SK (Sanguniang Kabataan) voters, reflecting the fact that there are more regular-age voters registered than SK voters,” it said.
“In places with low turnout of voters this morning, NAMFREL observers said the numbers may increase as the day progresses,” it added.
NAMFREL volunteers said turnout was low early this morning in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras due to rainy weather while some voters in Zamboanga City opted to cast their votes later after work.
In Al-Barka, Basilan, NAMFREL observers reported that Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel had been requested by members of the EBs to be present at the entrance to polling places to provide security to the EBs.
At the Malaig Elementary School in Balindong, Lanao del Sur, NAMFREL observers reported that soldiers equipped with tasers are stationed at polling places to maintain peace and order.
In Cotabato City, NAMFREL reported that about 15 percent of EBs at the Vilo Central Elementary School resigned the day before election day due to concerns regarding their security, especially during the counting.
The EBs were replaced by personnel from the Philippine National Police.
Also in Cotabato City, at the Kimpo Elementary School, NAMFREL observers were barred by local police from entering the voting center to observe the elections.
The observers were told that no media or external observers were to be permitted inside.
NAMFREL said it is verifying other incidents reported in the media that appear to be election-related.
“NAMFREL will include them in forthcoming updates once verified by the NAMFREL volunteers on the ground. NAMFREL will continue to gather observations throughout the day,” it added.
Voting will end at 3 p.m. and counting and canvassing of votes will begin shortly after. (with a report from Noemi S. Reyes/PNA)
