Comelec urges faster canvass system

Comelec office. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—For speedier election results, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urging lawmakers to pass legislation that will change the current multitier canvassing system.

In its report to Congress on the conduct of the May 2013 elections, the Comelec said that while there was more work to be done to improve the automated polls, it was worth reviewing the election automation law and the multitier canvassing system.

“This is not to say the automated election system has achieved maturity. There is work yet to be done on improving the legal framework of elections and the Comelec recommends that a comprehensive review of Republic Act No. 9369 be undertaken to revisit the multitier canvassing system,” said the agency.

Under the current system, election returns from polling precincts are transmitted to the municipal board of canvassers for official canvassing and proclamation of winning city and municipal candidates.

The certificate of canvass produced by the municipal board of canvassers is then forwarded to the provincial level for canvassing and proclamation of the elected officials.

The provincial board of canvassers then sends to the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) the provincial certificate of canvass for the official canvassing and proclamation of elected officials in the national level.

In its report to Congress, the Comelec suggested a “single stage canvassing system” in which precinct results are canvassed and consolidated immediately at the NBOC level.

“This will greatly speed up the reporting of election results as well as minimize confusion arising from speculations as to the contents of delayed canvass reports,” said the poll body.—Jocelyn R. Uy