PHLPost ready to implement proposed mail-in voting for 2022 polls

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) on Thursday expressed readiness to implement the proposed mail-in voting for the 2022 polls to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 during the conduct of the elections.

During a Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms hearing, Engr. Joel Zamudio, acting assistant postmaster general for operations at PHLPost, said they are already finalizing their computerized system that will allow mail-in voting by the 2022 elections.

"We are enhancing our current system and we expect that the full computerization will be done this year," he said.

"Ang schedule namin is it will be implemented by April or May. We are sure that by 2022 all of the systems are matured already," he added.

Senator Imee Marcos, chair of the electoral reforms panel, earlier proposed the mail-in voting system, adding that the 2022 polls could serve as a pilot-test for it.

She also filed a bill seeking to create a postal voting system for senior citizens, pregnant, indigenous people, and persons with disabilities.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, on the other hand, nixed the possibility of having mail-in ballots in the 2022 elections, saying it would be prone to irregularities.

Pilot testing

For its part, the Commission on Elections said pilot testing for the mail-in voting is possible.

"All we need is the assurance from the postal office that the ballot will arrive not later than Election Day. Kasi baka doon tayo magkakaroon ng problema, tapos na yung election and then here come mail-in ballots," said Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo.

"But I think the postal office naman is a very competent naman, because of their computerization kaya naman nila," he added

Zamudio agreed with Casquejo that pilot testing for the mail-in voting can be done.

"We support the recommendation that it will be done on a pilot test basis and we will work closely with the Comelec to discuss these areas where we can implement mail-in voting," he said.

"By 2022, we will be having infrastructure facilities to include computerized mail processing to ensure that the ballots will be delivered on time and secured," he added.

The 2022 national and local elections are set for May 9, 2022. — RSJ, GMA News