Comelec, NYC ink MOA on voter education activities

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and National Youth Commission Chairman Aiza Seguerra signed the agreement in a ceremony at the NYC office in Quezon City which was witnessed by key officials from both agencies. (PNA photo)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) on Friday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which seeks to strengthen voter education to encourage youth participation in the upcoming elections in the country.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and National Youth Commission Chairman Aiza Seguerra signed the agreement in a ceremony at the NYC office in Quezon City which was witnessed by key officials from both agencies.

The two agencies aim to jointly supervise voter education activities in areas covered by NYC’s regional offices from April 2017 to May 2019 in a bid to educate young voters on their right to suffrage and how their vote may shape the nation’s future.

“We aim on telling them how important their votes are, educating them in their schools than proceeding to Comelec’s office in order for them to really know the qualifications of candidates,“ Seguerra said.

She added that the agency plans to bring voter registration centers in schools and provide a module for elected SK officials.

Seguerra also expressed hope that the SK elections will finally push through as scheduled.

“I hope the SK elections in October will push through because this has been on hold for so long,” Seguerra said in Filipino.

“I think its because of fears that past horror stories of SK might come again but now, the system is being reformed so there is no reason for it to be postponed anew,” she added.

For his part, Bautista said Comelec will abide by the Congress’ decision on the matter.

He, however, noted that the commission has yet to decide on the matter of conducting the polls in Marawi City where clashes between government troops and Maute Group members have been ongoing for over a month.

“There are possibilities of postponing SK and barangay elections (in Marawi), depending on the AFP’s (Armed Forces of the Philippines) assessment of the peace and order situation in the area.” Bautista said.

Based on data from the poll body, around 21 million Filipino youth voters registered for the SK elections scheduled on October 23.