Limlingan: Elections 2022

LET'S fast forward to 2022, particularly on the month of May. The national and local elections may be far but these democratic processes are longer prepared than conducted. It's another season in the country aside from our dry and wet seasons.

We may wonder how elections would be done by next year considering the fact that the present pandemic may be far from over. As forecasted, it may take another year aside from the two-year period to somehow contain the spread of the virus through the development of a vaccine.

By 2022, it's hard to imagine how politicians' caucuses and meetings would be held when mass gatherings are prohibited. At this stage of the pandemic, mass activities are definitely banned. Politicians gun for more people during political activities. The more, the merrier.

On the said year, it would be hard to conduct house-to-house campaigns as those who are campaigning would be exposed to people they are meeting and shaking hands with. The more exposure, the greater possibility of spread of the virus.

Campaign materials are not spared from the virus as the latter stick to t-shirts, pamphlets, ballpens, candies and other giveaways during campaigns. The electorates would be exposed to the virus once an infected campaign material is given away by election hopefuls.

Come election period, it would be hard for voters to fall in lines at public schools and wait for their respective turns to vote. Again, going to polling places gathers crowd and is also against the protocol on avoiding the spread of the virus. Election officers, poll watchers and supporters risk their health as there might be those who are casting their votes who are simply asymptomatic.

The tallying of votes and the proclamation of winners is also a problem as people gather during these crucial stages of the elections. We cannot afford to form crowds as this increases the risk of virus infections.

I wonder how would the Commission on Elections would address these concerns should the pandemic still prevails by 2022. There would be some adjustments for sure that the government would have to guarantee the right to vote of the people while enforcing health protocols.

Another thing that the government would have to consider is the enormous budget that elections require. Almost all governments' expenditures all over the world are focused on the fight against the virus. Elections are too costly and we cannot just simply do away with health priorities of the public.

The question also lies whether we conduct the elections the traditional way as many human activities now are held on-line. On-line voting may be resorted to however, it cannot be guaranteed to be fraud-free. Automation may lead to electoral cheating.

Meanwhile, postponing the elections due to the pandemic would stir various political reactions. This early, a lot are preparing for the coming democratic exercises albeit premature.

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For any comments, ideas, suggestions or opinions, text or call The Advocate at 0921-3636360 or send email at dencious@gmail.com.

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