Comelec eyes full automation of barangay, SK polls in 2026

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing a fully automated Barangay and Sangguniang Elections (BSKE) in 2026,  Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said Thursday.

The poll official made the statement amid the planned pilot testing of automated BSKE in October 2023.

“Hindi namin napalawak ang ating pilot test pero titingnan natin for the next Barangay and SK elections maging automated na lahat ‘yung barangay elections depende kung ano ang resulta ng ating pilot testing dito sa… barangays,” Casquejo said in a press conference after a consultative meeting in Ilocos Norte.

In February, the Comelec en banc approved the pilot testing of the automated election system in Barangays Zone II, Poblacion and Paliparan III in Dasmarinas City, Cavite and Barangay Pasong Tamo in Quezon City.

Comelec chairman George Garcia explained that the purpose of the pilot testing of the AES in the 2023 BSKE is to prepare for the automated 2026 elections.

But this will only happen if the poll body will adopt a new system and use new machines.

“Kung ano ang sistema na gagamitin for 2025, ang hope natin ‘yan ang gagamitin natin sa 2026 BSKE,” he added.

In May, the Comelec presented its terms of reference for an automated election system for the 2025 midterm elections.

Automating the BSKE will also reduce poll-related violence, Garcia said.

“Sa ating palagay, habang mabilis ang transmission ng results, walang violence,” the poll chairman said.

“Bakit nagkakaroon ng violence sa halimbawa sa Barangay and SK Elections? Kasi mano mano. Habang nalalaman ng mga nagbabantay, ‘yung mga nandoon sa labas kung sino ang lumalamang…habang nakikita nila, may posibilidad na magkaroon ng violence. Samantalang kung automated ‘yan alam na agad ang results. Walang violence. That’s why no other way to go ang komisyon, ang bansa natin kundi full automation but with complete transparency,” he added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News