The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing the full automation of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections for 2026. The members of the Commission are in Ilocos Norte for a three-day en banc session and consultative meeting with Comelec field personnel. (Photo by John Michael Mugas)
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—The Commission on Elections is planning to transition from manual to the automated elections system (AES) in the conduct of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections by 2026, Comelec Chairman George Garcia bared on Thursday.
At a press briefing at the Fort Ilocandia Resort in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Garcia said that the Comelec is already looking into automating the next barangay and Sangguuniang Kabataan elections
“Ang dami at ang ganda ng plano nang automation pero laging nakadepende if bibigyan ang Comelec ng budget (There’s a lot of good plans for the automation, but it always depends on whether or not the Comelec will be given a budget),” said Garcia who explained that the Comelec’s budget for the 2022 national and local elections was slashed by almost 50 percent.
The Comelec has used the AES for the national and local elections since 2010.
To prepare for the possible transition, the Comelec said that it would conduct a pilot testing of AES during the October 30, 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in two barangays in Dasmariñas, Cavite and one barangay in Quezon City.
Comelec reported 68 million voters registered for barangay elections and 23 million for SK elections.
Garcia explained that the automation of the elections in 2026 will happen if there is a “change in the system,” which involves a two-year lease of voting machines for the elections set for 2025 and 2026.
With high voter turnouts, expenses are also expected to increase. Automating elections involves multiple components, including ballot printing and compensating poll workers and support staff.
The shift to AES would guarantee full transparency in counting votes and limit the possibility of election violence, added Garcia.
Garcia said that Comelec, AFP, and PNP would meet in July to identify hot spots and areas of concern for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October.