The Philippines is not as ready for mail voting or mail-in ballots as it is in the United States, according to a former official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Former Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal told TeleRadyo that apart from the lack of infrastructure to implement mail-in ballots, it also has no legal basis.
Larrazabal thinks the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) does not have the capacity to carry out mail-in ballots.
According to Larrazabal, mail-in ballots can be made if there is a target-specific voting bloc, such as the elderly. However, it is a big question if there is still time to do this.
He said it would also be an issue if voters would trust their ballot to be mailed.
“Sa tingin ko if you pass a law before early or middle of next year puwede pa. Pero after that, wala na ‘yan, mahirap na ‘yan. I’ll be honest, because how many of you listening now will put your ballot to be sent to the post office? Ang sasabihin nila, hindi ipa-courier na lang natin,” said Larrazabal.
Also read: Drilon rejects idea of mail-in voting for 2022 elections
Philippines unprepared, no system for mail voting: ex-Comelec official
Senate President Tito Sotto had earlier said that he opposed Sen. Imee Marcos to have mail voting in the 2022 elections.
“I’m not in favor. It’s the easiest system of voting to cheat… Sino tatanggap? Nationwide? Saan padadala, post office? Kailan bibilangin? Sino bibilang? Paano kung may mag-leak ng results, whether true or fake? Any of those procedures can be cheated,” Sotto said.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Monday that the Philippines is not ready for mail voting for the upcoming 2022 national and local elections.
“Our current system simply does not permit voting by mail as a process that will accurately reflect the will of the people,” Drilon said in an online interview.
“I am opposed to it at this time. We can look at it again in the future and see whether our system is already sufficient in terms of protecting the sanctity of the ballots,” he added.