THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is pinning its hopes on the approval by Congress of the proposed adoption of the internet voting system in increasing the overseas voter turnout during elections.
Elections spokesman James Jimenez said there will be higher voter turnouts in future elections once internet voting is allowed in the country.
“Hopefully, we can submit our recommendation so that, in the future elections, Congress can consider allowing internet voting. It will be a big help if we can have internet voting,” said Jimenez in a virtual media forum.
Jimenez said having internet voting will solve the perennial problem of Filipinos overseas still needing to go to the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate to cast their votes.
He said there are instances where overseas voters have to go to a different country just to be able to cast their votes in the nearest Philippine embassy and consulate.
“One of the biggest problems in having low turnout is the difficulty of voting. People find it difficult to go to an embassy or consulate because they don’t live near the embassy or consulate,” he said.
“Since the start of overseas voting, that has been our perennial problem, the low voter turnout,” added Jimenez.
In the three previous presidential polls, the voter turnout were only at 64 percent (2004), 26 percent (2010), and 31 percent (2016).
The numbers are even lower during midterm elections, particularly 16 percent (2007), 16 percent (2013), and 18 percent (2019).
In late last year, the Comelec conducted a series of internet voting test runs involving different potential service providers.
Jimenez said they are already finalizing their report to Congress regarding the internet voting system.
