Comelec to hold public hearing on satellite voting

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said it is set to hold a public hearing on the innovative satellite voting to be used in the May 2016 elections.

“We will invite political parties as well as the general public. We want to hear the public’s take on this,” Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said.

Bautista said the public hearing will be held by the end of the month.

The poll body has approved in principle the use of innovative satellite voting in the coming elections.

To enhance the voting experience of the public, the Comelec has been pushing for the adoption of mall voting.

Last Friday, however, the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation questioned the legal basis of the Comelec’s decision to implement mall voting.

Senators noted that voting must be done in public schools or other public facilities.

The Comelec was asked to submit a memorandum to explain the legality of the mall voting project.

Bautista, for his part, said the Comelec is ready to justify before the Supreme Court the adoption of mall voting, adding that it has legal grounds.