Comelec sets poll summit next year

MANILA, Philippines — With the hope of improving the electoral system, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is holding the first ever National Elections Summit in January 2023.

In a statement over the weekend, Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis said the poll summit aims to establish an engagement between the agency and other stakeholders while gathering recommendations on how to improve the Philippine electoral system.

“One objective of this summit is to provide a platform for a national dialogue and interaction with the consultation and participation of election stakeholders in the review, formulation or enhancement of policies, plans and programs in election administration as well as electoral enforcement and adjudication,” Celis said.

He said the Comelec would conduct a series of consultations ahead of the poll summit.

The National Election Summit in 2023 will be a culmination of dialogues and consultations nationwide to address key issues, identify opportunities for meaningful and sustainable reforms and to map out strategies toward a free, orderly, honest and credible Philippine elections, according to Celis.

He said the policy recommendations emanating from the summit would be endorsed for consideration of the Comelec en banc.

The commission in turn will submit to Congress a similar recommendation to help enhance the legal framework shaping the election system.

Last week, the Comelec held initial consultations with poll stakeholders and discussed issues such as the “antiquated” legal framework of the election system, the important role of teachers in the elections, enhancement of voter education program and its integration into formal and non-formal education systems, setting up of a Comelec online help desk, interoperability of systems and improvement of operational relationships within poll offices.