BARMM parliamentary elections: Voter education sought on NOTA in ballots

MANILA, Philippines —   A poll watchdog has urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to intensify voter education on the significance of the “none of the above” or NOTA option in the ballots to be used in the upcoming Bangsamoro parliamentary polls.

The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) yesterday stressed the need for the Comelec and other stakeholders to properly educate voters about the NOTA as well as dispel uncertainties on new electoral innovations to be adopted in the first parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

LENTE said education and advocacy would help ensure that voters understand the NOTA option as an act of democratic participation.

The poll watchdog said the option must be viewed as an empowering tool to hold candidates and political parties accountable.

“By making informed choices including the choice to reject inadequate options, citizens strengthen the democratic process and help build a political culture that prioritizes integrity, competence and genuine representation,” the watchdog said.

Under the legal framework of the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, the NOTA option is not considered a candidate or intended to win an election.

“By definition, the NOTA functions as a political expression of rejection and provides a channel for voter dissent,” LENTE said.

It said the NOTA option must be able to impact on the results of the election.

The Comelec yesterday launched the month-long “Botong Bangsamoro,” a campaign aimed to raise awareness and encourage the over two million BARMM voters to participate in the elections in October.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is targeting a 75-percent voter turnout in the elections.

Garcia said the campaign does not cover issues concerning the NOTA option, which is a first in the history of the country’s elections.

He said voters must not be prevented from choosing the NOTA option if they do not want to vote for any of the candidates.