Namfrel lauds handling of May 9 polls: Better than 2010 and 2013

The recently concluded May 9 national and local elections have earned the approval of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), saying these have been managed far better than the previous polls.

However, the poll watchdog has noted some “unavoidable inefficiencies” during the conduct of polls.

“Namfrel believes that on the whole, this election has been managed far better than the past two automated elections held in 2010 and 2013,” it said in a statement.

“Further, the electorate seems to have more confidence in the election system this year compared to the past. While there are still some problem areas to look into and to correct, these do not detract from the generally perceived credible and orderly conduct of the May 9 elections,” it added.

In its assessment based on the reports of its nationwide chapters, Namfrel said the most commendable aspect of the 2016 elections was the highest voter turnout rate ever of 81 percent for local and 31 percent for overseas voters.

Other improvements it noted were the quick transmission of election results, fewer incidence of election-related violence, improved performance of vote-counting machines (VCMs), better and more responsive voters’ information and education initiatives like the presidential and vice presidential debates initiated by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).