PH cited for best election practices

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MANILA — The Philippines’ was cited by an official of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) for having one of the best practices during elections.

AKP Mochtan, Asean Secretariat’s deputy secretary general said in a press briefing for the first Asean Workshop on Election Observation that the country is an example to other Asean members.

“I believe this is one of the models, one of the best practices that we can refer to and we are very proud for other member states to learn and emulate what the Philippines has gained and progressed over the years,” Mochtan said.

Mochtan also noted the country’s long history of elections.

“I was very encouraged to hear that this is the 75th anniversary of the Commission (Commission on Elections). And this testifies that the Philippines has a very long history, perhaps if not the longest, in the region,” Mochtan added.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez also said that the country is the only one among the Asean countries to implement election automation on a nationwide scale.

“On a scale that we did it, yes [we are the first to hold fully automated elections]. From the voting, canvassing, etcetera… for the entire nation and for the number of positions, yes [we are the first]. We are the only country that fully committed to the automation of the election process from end to end,” Jimenez added.

“We had two automated elections and we are constantly mentioned as an example of automation,” he said.

Jimenez said that because of this, the country continuous to be an example to other countries.