Observers invited to monitor poll preparations

MANILA, Philippines - To assure transparency in the 2016 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has invited observers to oversee the preparations.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said observers would be involved in the “critical stages” of the preparations for the 2016 general elections.

“We will be looking for reputable observers and we will let them monitor the elections, along with the CAC (Comelec Advisory Council),” he said.

The CAC was tasked to recommend to Comelec the voting system that could be used in 2016.

While the CAC is not primarily involved in the preparations for the 2016 elections, the Comelec Steering Committee has arranged for the council to send a representative every week to monitor preparations.

Brillantes, on the other hand, said not all groups are welcome to become observers.

“If they will not do anything but to find fault, to find loopholes, it’s better not to involve them. What we are looking for are those with constructive criticism and not those who don’t find good in anything we do,” he added.

In the 2010 and 2013 polls, observers were involved in the bidding of the voting technology that would be used in the elections.