An election watchdog has urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to compel prospective candidates in the barangay and youth polls to submit a resume highlighting their suitability for the position.
In a statement, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said that “only certain kinds of individuals are cut out for this type of work” and that the elections did not always attract those with a higher intent to serve.
Namfrel appealed to the Comelec to require candidates to submit a one-page resume that would bare their skills and capacity to run for office.
Candidate’s motivation
The resume, it added, should also include the candidate’s motivation to participate in the polls, and what they see as key challenges.
“Until the operational, fiscal and relational structures are modified, the transactions between and among [the candidates] would largely be driven by partisan political interests,” it said.
Publicize bet’s Soce
Namfrel issued a position paper supporting the conduct of the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls, and also backed the Comelec’s move to postpone the exercise in Marawi City.
It also asked the Comelec to publicize election results for all candidates, not just the victors, as well as the statements of contributions and expenditures (Soce) of all candidates.
The group also wants the Comelec to collect data on women and other differently gendered candidates and those elected for each barangay.
Namfrel noted that women comprise less than 20 percent of candidates and elected officials at the barangay level. Comelec data showed there were more women voters (28.01 million) than men (26.31 million).
“The challenge is not only directed at the inclusion of more women, but importantly in the creation of a political environment where village residents and voters see a wide range of leadership types and skills [by] broadening the base from which voters elect candidates and [through the] inclusion of women,” they said.
Young actress’ role
Leading the Comelec’s drive to encourage the participation of more women in the two elections is actress Kathryn Bernardo.
The poll body is banking on the popularity of the 21-year-old Bernardo, who appears in a 41-second YouTube video that aims to promote gender equality in elections.
In the video, she urged Filipinos not to think twice about participating in the elections.
“Not only as voters, but as candidates. Remember, history has proven that with women at the helm, nothing is impossible,” she said in the video.