‘Mock elections’
THE holding of simultaneous “mock polls” tomorrow (December 29) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and six provinces, including Leyte, should be supported by the public.
The other provinces are Isabela, Albay, Negros Oriental, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
For one, it is aimed at ensuring the smooth conduct of the May 9, 2022 elections, when the nation’s more than 65.7 million registered voters elect new government officials.
Like the rest of the Filipino people, we cannot overemphasize the importance of the “mock polls” since the forthcoming political exercise is a presidential balloting.
In the Philippines, a nation of poll-crazy people, regular elections are held every three years.
The Filipino electorate goes to the polls on May 9 (Monday) to elect the successor of outgoing President Duterte, whose six-year administration ends on June 30, 2022.
For another, the holding of the “mock polls” is ample proof that the poll body is out to ensure that the voting hours would be enough to accommodate the 65.7 million registered voters.
As set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the voting hours start at 6 a.m. and end at 7 p.m.
“We are not after a high turnout (of voters) but how the system performs. So, it’s not about turnout,” according to Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez.
Observers said the first “mock election,” which was held in Pasay City on October 23, was a failure due to the low turnout of voters. “Takot pa ring lumabas ang mga tao dahil sa COVID-19,” they said.
Doubtless, the people, including the ordinary citizens, support the poll body’s efforts to ensure the holding of smooth, honest, peaceful and credible elections on May 9, 2022.
