Aksyon Demokratiko urges use of digital signatures in Eleksyon 2022

Aksyon Demokratiko urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to implement the use of digital signatures nationwide for the upcoming elections.

In a statement, Aksyon Demokratiko chairman Ernesto Ramel said the party believed that the use of digital signatures by the Board of Election Inspectors should not be limited to the National Capital Region, Cebu City, and Davao City.

Furthermore, the use of iButtons, instead of digital signatures, should not be expanded to other regions and provinces.

The Comelec En Banc previously approved the use of iButtons for digital signature only in NCR, Cebu, and Davao after the conduct and subsequent failure of several bidding procedures.

However, the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) later recommend the poll body expand the area of distribution of iButtons for digital signatures to include other regions and provinces.

Citing the Omnibus Election Code, Ramel countered that BEIs and the Board of Canvassers were required to digitally sign and electronically transmit the Election Return and Certificate of Canvass, respectively.

“To reiterate, we, at Aksyon, most respectfully hope for the Comelec En Banc to reconsider its decision to fully implement the use of digital signatures for the BEIs and BOCs in relation to the May 2022 NLE,” Ramel said. — DVM, GMA News