Comelec discussing new technology for next polls, says spox

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc is discussing the policies and the specifications of the new technology that will be adopted in the next elections, Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said Monday.

"Sa ngayon po, sa kasalukuyan, ang ating Commission en banc ay naka-session. Isa po sa pag-uusapan 'yung anumang teknolohiya na ire-require ng Comelec. Dahil nakita po namin 'yung iba-t-ibang teknolohiya na, hinahanap namin 'yung mga mas maganda, mas mabisa at mas moderno," Laudiangco said at a televised public briefing.

"Pagsasama-samahin po namin ito bilang terms of reference at siyang gagawin natin para makapag-public bidding po tayo ng ating bagong election system," he added.

(At present, the Commissin en banc is in session, and one of the topics that will be discussed is the technology that will be used. We've seen the different technologies and we're picking the best. We'll establish the terms of reference and then hold the public bidding.)

Among the considerations that the Comelec en banc is considering are the technologies in other countries that can be applied in the Philippines and the technologies to which the Filipinos are familiar with, Laudiangco said.

After the Comelec's plan to upgrade its technology received support from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Laudiangco said they will bring their modernization plans before Congress.

"Dahil nga po nagpahayag ng suporta ang ating Pangulo, ngayon po,  isusulong namin sa Kongreso 'yung ating mga modernization program at policies," he said.

(Because we got the support of the President, we will now push our modernization program and policies before Congress.)

During the Comelec's National Election Summit last week, Marcos said with the use of modern technology, the government can implement positive reforms and make election result transmission faster while maintaining accuracy.

The summit's objective was to solicit the suggestions of experts, Filipino voters, and other election stakeholders in the digital transformation of Comelec and the election system.

It also aims to secure the commitment of stakeholders to support the poll body's roadmap towards a free, orderly, honest and credible elections and other electoral exercises. —KBK, GMA Integrated News