"NO FACE TO FACE VOTING IN 2022?"
Here we go again...the hot talk about politics. Electoral campaigning has been part of our lives from generation to generation. People have been given the right to select their candidates who will keep a democratic country functioning. I've heard somewhere that campaign periods are just a way for any candidates to be a show-off for the sake of the people's vote, but enough of that. For many years, political campaigning has been done face-to-face. However, this upcoming election for 2022 might not be the same as the past campaigns. A virtual campaign isn't a bad idea. After all, we are presently facing a pandemic.
The question is, will the electoral campaign 2022 will be held face-to-face or virtual? A virtual campaign can be a good option, especially in this time. Candidates can think of an innovative way of campaigning that can influence and bring positive effect to the people. The Presidential debate that many people await can be virtual. The debate can happen through video call platforms broadcasted live through social media platforms and on the television. Due to the pandemic, we should be more careful, and it is essential to be safe because not all of us are on the priority list for vaccination. We cannot risk ourselves being outside with others because some don't follow the protocols of COVID-19. The candidates should also know the procedures to prevent the infection of the virus for their safeties.
Artist: Kyle Arnold B. Marges
The Commission on Elections is eyeing a ban on face-to-face campaigning for 2022's elections. The pandemic-driven proposed reforms may modify the policy or system that could further complicate the preparation for the next presidential election. Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez mentioned that reducing the number of attendees in a campaign would be more reasonable and feasible. According to a Rappler report, Comelec predicts 'hybrid' election discussions in 2022. The presidential and vice-presidential debates for the 2022 national elections may include in-person attendance and remote participation of candidates. "The question is will it be face-to-face or virtual? So I think mas maganda siguro if it is hybrid," Casquejo stated.
The proposed online campaign is a great solution, but many still choose the traditional campaign because people who have no access to the internet and lacks technical knowledge can face difficulty and also people who got used to the traditional way. The regular campaign and election mechanics favors the people who lack certain equipment for the proposed online procedures and the risk of the election results getting rigged is low. Online procedures can easily be manipulated by hackers and such. Problems regarding the virus can be dealt with by a much tighter security and implementation of the guidelines and safety protocols by the IATF.
Artist: Roxy Bianca G. Paderes
Despite the standpoints and evidences presented against the proposal, the safety of the people is the main priority. We will tackle a much safer procedure and that procedure is the online procedure. The Government will provide the proper necessities in order to make it happen. For the voting procedure, people with no access to the internet will be provided with gadgets necessary for voting. The debates and campaign will be broadcasted nationwide through the television, internet via social media, and radio which all Filipino voters should already have. With the online elections, we nearly have no risk at all in spreading the virus. The problems regarding the manipulation of the results in online voting will be solved by installing a monitoring software during and after the voting sessions.
So, are you in favor on this set-up? Will our election system be less secure and more susceptible to fraud if we switch our election into a mixed set-up? Can our country support this kind of setting after our economy collapsed due to this pandemic? What do you think?
Editorial Writers:
Antoinette Jamaica M. Hipolito
Justhine S. Plana
Francheska Rose A. Erfe
Shem Raziel M. Angelo
Editorial Cartoonists:
Kyle Arnold B. Marges
Roxy Bianca G. Paderes
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