IATF OKs nationwide mock elections ahead of 2022 polls

(FILE) FEBRUARY 14, 2016 Voters of Barangay Linmansangan, a remote village in Alaminos City, participate in a mock election. Budang Nisperos, Inquirer Northern Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has approved the request of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct nationwide mock elections on December 29.

The nationwide mock elections seek to ensure the safe and effective conduct of the local and national elections next year.

“Inaprubahan din ng IATF ang mga rekomendasyon ng technical working group. Una rito ay ang request ng Comelec na magsagawa ng nationwide mock election exercises sa December 29, 2021,” acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a press briefing.

(IATF has approved the recommendation of the technical working group. Firstly, it approved the request of Comelec to hold nationwide mock election exercises on December 29, 2021.)

The mock elections will be an “end-to-end demonstration” of the entire election process, from the precinct level up to the transmission of votes to the National Board of Canvassers, Comelec Director Teopisto Elnas Jr. earlier said.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the mock polls will involve real voters and real Boards of Election Inspectors.

/MUF