Mock elections achieve 80% average voter turnout -Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported an 80% average voter turnout in mock elections conducted across 15 areas nationwide on Saturday.

"Napakaganda po, sa 15 mga siyudad at munisipyo... hanggang sa Mindanao, tayo po ay nag-conduct ng mock elections, 100 percent nasimulan ng 7 a.m.," Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a Dobol B TV interview.

(It went very well. In 15 cities and municipalities, including areas in Mindanao, we conducted mock elections, all of which started promptly at 7 a.m.)

According to Laudiangco, while some areas recorded turnouts exceeding 70%, the overall average was 80%. Region 13 (Caraga) posted the highest turnout at 97.5%, while Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) recorded the lowest at 46%.

Laudiangco explained that holding the mock elections in remote areas was intentional.

"Sinadya po namin na doon sa medyo malalayo natin gawin nang sa gayon ma-test po natin ano 'yung challenges, ano 'yung mga difficulty na na-experience ng Comelec kundi mga kababayan natin," he said.

(We intentionally conducted the elections in remote areas to test the challenges and difficulties experienced by both Comelec and the voters.)

One issue identified was the lack of transportation, which affected voter turnout in the Eastern Visayas.

Successful use of technology

Despite some logistical issues, the Comelec highlighted the successful use of technology.

"Mock elections completed. 100% transmissions from precincts to municipal/city canvassing centers, central server, ppcrv and namfrel servers, media server, majority and minority pol party servers and central and back up server. 100% from mbocs to pbocs and 100% from pbocs to National Board of Canvassers. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat!" said Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

In Jolo, Sulu, an automated counting machine transmitted data without problems. In Patikul, data transmission was achieved via a satellite communication device despite a power outage.

The Comelec aims for canvassing and transmission of results to be completed within 30 minutes during actual elections.

"Mabilis lang po ang proseso ng pagtanggap, nakadepende po talaga sa pabilisan ng pagtransmit ng signal," said Laudiangco.

(The process is fast, depending on the speed of signal transmission.)

Comelec has rented 110,000 automated counting machines, with only 93,000 expected to be used, leaving plenty of backup machines available.

"One hundred ten thousand (110,000) machines ang inupahan ng Comelec, 93,000 lang ang gagamitin. Marami tayong spare at contingency machines. Wala po tayong problema kung magkakaroon man ng breakdown," Laudiangco added.

Reprinting

The Comelec also announced that ballot reprinting would resume on Monday after delays due to Supreme Court temporary restraining orders.

"Tuloy na po sa Lunes, dahil tatlong linggo na ang nawala sa amin, kailangang habulin namin ang pag-iimprenta. Lahat ng iimprentang 71 million ballots ay kailangan idaan isa-isa sa automated counting machine, masigurong babasahin ng makina," he said.

(The reprinting will resume on Monday. We need to catch up after losing three weeks. All 71 million ballots will be individually tested through the automated counting machines to ensure readability.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News

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