THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to launch its voters education campaign on August 19, less than two months before the October 13 Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE).
In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they will start the extensive voters’ education campaign for the BPE next week in Cotabato City.
"Sa Cotabato City ay gagawin natin sa 19th ng August. Sa huling Biyernes ng August naman ay may briefing naman sa Zamboanga City. Sa September ay nasa Cotabato City kami ulit," Garcia said.
(In Cotabato City, we will hold it on August 19. On the last Friday of August, there will be a briefing in Zamboanga City. In September, we will be back in Cotabato City.)
The poll chief reiterated that such activities are necessary as many of the voters in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm) remain clueless of the activity.
He said this is mainly because the October 13 polls will mark the first parliamentary elections in the country.
"Dapat mapaliwang sa mga kababayan natin, sa 2.3 million na boboto sa Bangsamoro ano ba talaga parliamentary elections? Bakit kailangan bumoto? Sino iboboto? Bakit may boboto na myembro ng parliamento, may political party pa? Bakit may picture, logo, none of the above?" noted the official.
(It should be explained to our fellow citizens — among the 2.3 million who will vote in Bangsamoro — what exactly are parliamentary elections? Why is it important to vote? Who should they vote for? Why are there members of parliament to be elected, and also political parties? Why are there pictures, logos, and a “none of the above” option?)
"Ibig sabihin kailangan mas malawak pa na paliwanagan. Hindi pwede papuntahin na lang sa presinto at pabotohin. Dapat maunawaan nila ano ang proseso, ang sistema para alam nila sino tamang iboto nila," Garcia added.
(This means there needs to be a broader public explanation. We can’t just send them to the precinct and have them vote. They must understand the process and the system so they know who the right candidates are to vote for.)
The Comelec is set to conduct the first-ever BPE on October 13. (Anton Banal/SunStar Philippines)