SAYING that the last substantive electoral law passed was back in 2016, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) yesterday called on Congress to pass measures that will institute much-needed electoral reforms.
In a statement, LENTE said there is a need for lawmakers to pass measures that would address long-standing poll issues.
“We urge our legislators in the House of Representatives to steer the passage of laws championing the rights of all voters and begin the real work of electoral reform,” it said.
“We likewise call on the Senate to prioritize measures that advance genuine and inclusive electoral reforms in support of strengthening our democratic institutions,” it added.
The poll watchdog noted that the last electoral law passed was in 2016, with the passage of the Election Service Reform Act.
“Since then, the only electoral laws passed have been for the postponement of elections,” it noted.
LENTE said among the much needed reforms are increasing voter accessibility for vulnerable sectors, such as expanding early voting and local absentee voting; enhancing the independence of the Comelec and its field offices, by shifting the burden of providing office spaces from the local government units to the poll body; increasing the manpower complement in Comelec field offices; and ensuring transparency in campaign and political finance.
LENTE said it would also be greatly helpful if the House of Representatives appoint a chairperson for the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.
“There is an urgent need to appoint a chairperson for the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms so that the committee can already start and move forward with these electoral reform proposals,” it said.
