Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 7) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) aims to finally introduce mall voting in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, believing that it will make it easier for Filipinos to exercise their right to vote.
Around 300,000 people will be able to cast their votes in malls on October 30 after the poll body signed a deal with two major mall operators in the country on Monday.
Fourteen malls will serve as venues for the first-ever mall voting exercise, including Robinsons Magnolia, Robinsons Las Piñas, Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Metro East, SM North EDSA, SM Manila, SM Sucat, SM Legazpi, Robinsons Cebu, and SM Consolacion Cebu.
Ang gusto po natin ilapit, mas lalong padaliin para sa mga kababayan natin. Lalo na sa mga nakatatanda saka mga may kapansanan, sa mga heavily pregnant women,” Comelec chairman George Garcia. “Sila po ay gusto nating mapabilis ang kanilang pagboto.[Translation: We want to bring it closer, make the process easier for our countrymen, especially for older people, persons with disability, and heavily pregnant women. We want to make voting easier for them.]Garcia said not a single peso will be spent for the venue since mall operators will provide the space and security personnel.A simulation will be held on Aug. 19 in Robinsons Ermita, Robinsons Cebu, SM Manila, and SM Legazpi.If the pilot run is successful, the Comelec said it would seek to expand mall voting nationwide.
