Comelec launches web, mobile app for voters' education

Through a newly launched mobile application, voters can now try filling out a sample ballot, learn more about campaign rules, find their precinct, and report campaign violations through their cellphones, tablets and desktops. Dubbed e-Leksyon 2013, the mobile application will help inform, educate, and empower voters in next month's midterm elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which launched the application Wednesday. Once the user has accessed the application, he can fill out a sample ballot, which can be saved for future reference, and practice the proper way of shading the ovals. The user will be warned if he did not shade the oval properly and if he overvoted. Through the application, a user can also find the precinct where he is registered by entering his full name, date of birth, gender and civil status. Campaign violations Another feature of the application is a briefing on campaign rules and violations, as well as a conduit for reporting campaign violations. The Comelec will send a validation code to a user who submits report for verification of identity. Only verified reports will be published online by the Comelec. Users can access the applications through http://report.mycomelec.tv. If a cellphone user has no mobile internet signal, the report will be saved in his device and can be sent later once internet signal becomes available. The application was developed by Bitoopi, a group of young programmers, with the help of Smart Communications and given to the Comelec free of charge. The Comelec maintains and administers both the website and mobile application with technical assistance from Bitoopi. The photographs and reporters submitted will be stored in a web server for access by Comelec authorities for appropriate action. The mobile application is initially available for iOS devices through the Apple iTunes app store. There is no Android version for smartphones yet. Free app In his speech after the presentation of the e-Leksyon 2013, poll chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. expressed his gratefulness to the developers especially upon learning that application was free of charge. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa inyo especially when I heard free of charge ito. Sa developers, sana dumami ang lahi nyo para hindi kami masyado mahirapan. Thank you very much,” he said, adding he is hoping such partnership will continue in the next elections. “Ito concrete ang tulong na nakikita. Sana may sumama ulit at sumunod. With 19 days na lang, magagamit natin ito nang konti and we can develop this further for future elections. We can start thinking of continuing partnership with the private sector and Comelec,” Brillantes said. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the application will provide the poll body with additional avenue of getting reports from the public. “Madadagdagan po 'yung ating paaran sa pagtanggap ng report. Hopefully, that will also increase our responsiveness to the public. Pwedeng i-expand for later elections para hindi lamang isang bagsakan,” he said. The application, however, did not run as smoothly when reporters tried it. Jimenez blamed this on weak internet connection. “Na-experience namin 'yung mga error na ganun pag hindi maganda 'yung connection. Right now kasi marami rin tumitingin dun sa web application so 'yung mga mobile nahihirapan kumuha. But definitely if you have good signal you will be able to get your records,” he said. — KBK, GMA News