Not just the pols: Comelec to release ads, too
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will release voter education advertisements as part of its commitment in ensuring honest and credible 2016 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the House of Representatives said Comelec Director James Jimenez told the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms that the poll body would release radio and television advertisements to educate the electorate about the voting process and the issuance of the voter’s receipt.
READ: Just print it, SC tells Comelec on voters’ receipts
“What we can assure is it would be one of the best strategies that we have. We also plan to put posters with instructions in every polling place. We are doing our best to think of effective and creative solutions for the upcoming elections.” Jimenez said.
He added that the Smartmatic has been working on preventing different sets of risks including the extension of the voting period for several hours.
READ: Comelec eyes starting May 9 polls at 6 a.m.
Jimenez said untrained Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) would be receiving new materials concerning the voter’s receipt and its issuance process.
“The 65% trained BEIs will undergo refresher courses to make sure that they will receive the proper training,” he said.
Jimenez added that about P435 million would be allotted for transportation allowance of 185,000 BEIs and payment for the new venues where the training would be conducted.
He said the cost of thermal paper for the voter’s receipt is estimated at P600 million.
“Additional wages and overtime pay will also be allocated amounting to an estimate of P14 million for the workers who will be testing the Vote Counting Machines (VCM),” he said.
Jimenez said the Comelec is still finding a solution to prevent the delay of overseas voting, adding that the VCMs that have already been shipped will not be recalled.
He said Comelec is planning to send overseas SD cards containing the new configuration. IDL
