Comelec's Guanzon: Eleksyon 2022 to proceed, smaller turnout seen

Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon on Monday shut down rumors that the 2022 elections will be postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

She, however, said that the voter turnout would be affected by the continued spread of the  deadly coronavirus.

“There’s no truth to the rumor that there will be no elections. There will be no suspension of election. That’s not true,” Guanzon told GMA News.

Guanzon said the Commission on Elections could draw lessons from various countries that have conducted elections during the pandemic, as well as from Palawan's experience in conducting the recent plebiscite.

“By now, we know how to maneuver,” Guanzon said.

The Palawan plebiscite has Guanzon expecting a lower voter turnout for Eleksyon 2022.

“Certainly, I think there will be less turnout. Mataas ang turnout natin eh, last 2 elections," Guanzon said.

"I don’t think it will be that much kasi look at Palawan. Look at the plebiscite in Palawan, the turnout was 60% actually. That’s a pretty good turnout considering there’s a pandemic,” she added.

Guanzon assured the public that preparations for the national and local elections next year were on schedule.

Smartmatic recently won the bid for the refurbishment of the vote counting machines.

“Sila pa rin. Some people are complaining bakit sila lagi. What can we do? Sila nananalo sa bidding, di ba? That’s according to law naman,” Guanzon said.

The Comelec will also enter into a government-to-government contract with the National Printing Office for the printing of the ballots. —NB, GMA News