IATF approves Dec. 29 nationwide mock polls

MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the request of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold a nationwide mock election on December 29, Malacañang said on Friday.

In a press briefing, acting Presidential Spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said the mock polls would help in the preparations for the May 9, 2022 national and local elections.

“In order to ensure the safe and effective conduct of the 2022 National and Local Elections, the IATF poses no objection to the request of the Commission on Elections to conduct nationwide mock election exercises on December 29, 2021,” Nograles said.

Comelec Deputy Executive Director for Operations, Teofisto Elnas Jr., earlier said there would be an end-to-end demonstration of the whole process.

“We will test on how accurate, true, and secure the (voting) process is,” Elnas said.

In Luzon, the mock polls will be held in Isabela: barangays District 1 (Pob) and Minante 1 in Cauayan City and barangays Magsaysay and Gayong in Cordon; in Albay: Barangay 16 of Kawit East, Barangay 13 of Ilawod West (Barangay 13), and barangays Biodoran, Banawan and Caratagan in Legazpi City.

In the Visayas, Negros Oriental: barangays Taclobo and Balogo of Dumaguete City, and barangays Poblacion and Mayabon in Zamboanguita; Leyte: barangays 6 and 6-A in Tacloban, barangays Poblacion Zone 11 and Gaas in Baybay City, and barangays Ipil II and San Juan in Palompon.

In Mindanao, Maguindanao: barangays Rosary Heights 2 and Tamontaka I in Cotabato City, Mother Poblacion and Poblacion 1 in Shariff Aguak, and Poblacion and Dical in Buluan; and Davao del Sur: barangays Zone 3 and San Miguel in Digos City, and Poblacion and Talas in Sulop.

In the National Capital Region, Pasay City’s barangays 70 (1st District) and 110 (2nd District); Taguig City’s Ususan (1st District) and Western Bicutan (2nd District); and Pateros’ San Pedro and San Roque villages.

Elnas said the results would be counted, transmitted, and received in different destinations.

“This is where we would be able to test our VCMs (vote-counting machines), from the start, opening until voting, consolidation of results, then printing of election returns, and also the printing of the voting receipts,” he said in a previous interview.