Mock elections generally smooth with some difficulties, says Namfrel

Authorities check the vote-counting machine at a poll precinct in Cauayan South Central School in Cauayan City during the mock elections Wednesday, Dec. 29. (Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.)

MANILA, Philippines — The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) said the conduct of the simultaneous mock elections in Metro Manila and six provinces on Wednesday was smooth and peaceful in general despite some difficulties.

Namfrel said it fielded more than a hundred volunteers to observe the mock polls in 25 voting centers nationwide.

“Namfrel observers reported that in general, the conduct of the mock elections has been smooth and peaceful so far, with polling precincts opening on time, and with no significant delay in the start of voting in most voting centers observed. Observers also note that the activity appears well-organized in general, and anti-COVID protocols are generally being enforced and followed,” the election watchdog said in a statement.

Namfrel said that its observers reported some delay in the initialization process for the vote-counting machines (VCMs) during the opening process prior to voting. For instance, observers reported that in a voting center in Digos, Davao del Sur, the initialization process took about an hour, delaying the start of voting. In Pateros, the VCM also rejected ballots several times.

The voting process was smooth, according to members of the group, with voters taking between five to 10 minutes to vote, and up to 30 minutes for senior citizens.

“Namfrel observers do note that the enforcement of certain health protocols has not been consistent, namely physical distancing, proper wearing of masks, disinfection of hands, and disinfection of election materials like pens and chairs after every use,” the watchdog said.

In a polling area in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental, volunteers noted that several ballots were rejected by the VCM and that members of the Electoral Board (EB) had to trim the sides of the ballot due to paper jams.

Meanwhile, in a polling place in Taguig, crowding was observed around the VCM while voters insert their ballots. There was also a lack of vote secrecy in the vote casting process as the ballots were not covered while being inserted into the VCM.

“In a polling place in Pasay, where the VCM was not located in the same room where voting was taking place, a Namfrel observer was concerned that this could facilitate vote-buying as a voter could easily take a photo of their ballot,” said Namfrel.

The volunteers noted that temperatures were checked at the entrance of voting centers; children were not being allowed to enter; there was an express lane for seniors, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women; medical personnel were present onsite, and there was good mobile phone signal in most of the voting centers observed.

“Observers also note the presence of Voter Assistance Desks that are mostly manned by members of election monitoring organizations, but in some, were manned by Comelec staff, barangay officials and police officers,” the group said.

“Emergency Accessible Polling Places and Isolation Polling Places (IPPs) are present, but Namfrel volunteers did not observe the IPPs being used, even for simulation purposes, except in a voting center in Albay,” they added.

Namfrel volunteers suggested that more directional arrows and signs be placed inside voting centers, and in a language that voters in the locality will understand.

/MUF