‘Poll turnout shows improved voter confidence’

MANILA, Philippines – Despite “some problem areas,” the National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) yesterday said voters seemed to have more confidence in the election system, as shown by the historic voter turnout during the May 9 polls.

A “far better” managed automated election, compared to the automated polls in 2010 and 2013, seemingly resulted in the voters’ higher confidence in the system, the poll watchdog said.

“While there are still some problem areas to look into and to correct, these do not detract from the generally perceived credible and orderly conduct of the May 9 elections,” Namfrel said in a statement.

The poll watchdog commended the May 9 elections for its historic voter turn-out, hitting 81 percent for local voting and 31 percent for overseas voting.

This is compared to 76 percent and 17 percent, respectively, during the 2013 elections.

Namfrel also cited improvements in the higher rate and quicker transmission of election results, as well as better performance of the vote-counting machines.

There were also less election-related violent incidents, which went down from 81 cases in 2013 to 60 cases. This was the result of the close coordination of local police, military and the Commission on Elections.

Namfrel also commended the better and more responsive Voters’ Information and Education initiatives like the debates, as well as the placement of posters and signages in public areas during election day.

The Namfrel Council made this assessment based on the pre-election, election day and post-election day reports of its nationwide chapters.