EDITORIAL - Guard the vote

Several elections ago, someone coined the acronym HOPE – for honest, orderly and peaceful elections. The acronym has endured, although more as a wish rather than reality.

Peace is relative, with people comparing the number of poll-related violent incidents between the latest elections with previous ones, and happy enough if the figure is lower. As difficult as making the elections peaceful and orderly is ensuring honesty or the integrity of the vote. To the “guns, goons and gold” that have long been used to undermine elections in this country, another “G” was added in the 2004 presidential race: “Garci.”

And yet Filipinos continue to put a great deal of faith in the ballot. It is safe to predict that the turnout in today’s elections will be the same as in previous ones – about 80 percent of registered voters. Regardless of financial status or educational attainment, the average Filipino voter believes that in a democracy, he can wield power through the ballot.

That belief must not be shaken by people out to steal the vote. The country is entering uncharted territory today with automated elections. The Commission on Elections as well as the consortium that won the automation deal, Smartmatic-Total Information Management, spent much of the day yesterday reassuring everyone that the glitches in the system have been fixed and all is set for today’s vote. If the new system lives up to its promise, a new set of officials, from the president down to city and municipal councilors, will be known in two or three days, with formal proclamation by Congress expected at the end of the month. Malacañang has repeatedly vowed a smooth transfer of power at noon of June 30.

The process seems simple enough. But previous elections have shown that there are too many threats to the holding of credible elections. Regardless of political color or one’s candidates, the important thing is to guard the vote. With citizen participation, HOPE can be an attainable objective.