Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 17) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said it will call for a meeting of its advisory council to ramp up preparations for the 2025 automated national and local elections.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they will meet next week to officially organize this.
Under Republic Act 9369, the advisory council must be convened 18 months prior to the next scheduled electoral exercise.
“Napakaimportante po ng advisory council na yan sapagkat alam niyo hindi po dapat sinasarili at sarilinin lang ng Comelec yong pamomroblema tungkol sa pag automate ng ating national and local elections,” Garcia told reporters.
[Translation: The advisory council is extremely important. The responsibility of automating the national and local elections is not only Comelec’s responsibility.]
Garcia said the council will be headed by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy, as provided by the law.
It must also have one member from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, a representative from the academe, three ICT professional organization representatives, and two members from nongovernment electoral reform groups to give guidance on the process, including procurement.
Although not part of the law, the poll chief wants to expand participation in the council, like media organizations who can serve as observers.
Garcia said the move is part of Comelec’s vow to be fully transparent throughout the 2025 polls.
The law states that the council will give recommendations in relation to the automated election system and can participate as nonvoting members of the Bids and Awards Committee and steering committee.
