The Commission on Elections conducted mock elections in certain areas nationwide in preparation for the midterms polls slated on May 13.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that mock elections were conducted in 60 areas in the country.
“Just to make it very clear, we have 60 polling places na nag mo-mock elections,” said Jimenez during a press briefing at Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila.
“Ang purpose natin dito sa mock elections is to show that this works, and efficient as effective siya. This is roughly the same system that we used in 2016 kung saan nagtala tayo ng record high na transmission. We expect that it will be even better this time,” Jimenez added.
Jimenez said that the conduct of the mock elections ran “smoothly” and that the transmission of election results was fast.
“So far, itong mock elections are proceeding very smoothly, we are seeing a good mix of insights coming in from the observers on the ground. Hindi siya nagiging perfect in all cases which is exactly how we wanted it to be, because that’s what we expect to see on election day,” said Jimenez.
“Mababa ang turnouts sa ibang lugar; merong mga lugar kung saan may mga taong hindi nahahanap ang pangalan sa kanilang presinto; and we’re checking the procedures that we have…to deal with those cases. As far as being an evaluation tool is concern, maganda itong mock elections,” he added.
When asked if the Comelec is fully ready for the conduct of elections in May, Jimenez said that the poll body is 90 percent ready.
“We are still four months out, we say 90 percent ready. But as you very well know, it is the last 10 percent that takes forever,” said Jimenez.
“We haven’t printed the ballots yet. But in terms of the logistics, structures, the partnerships etcetera, all of those are falling into place,” he added.
The Comelec official also urged Filipinos to exercise their right to vote.
“Dapat bumoto kasi ang binoboto natin ang mga decision makers ng ating bansa at sila ang magbabalangkas ng mga batas na makakaapekto sa buhay natin,” said Jimenez.
“Sila ang gagawa ng polisiya na makakaapekto sa quality of life ng buong Pilipinas. Kailangan maging bahagi ka ng usaping yan,” he added. (Analou de Vera)