Comelec allows Viber transmission of Batanes poll results with candidates' consent

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will pilot-test the use of messaging app Viber to transmit results of the Nov. 28 special elections in Batanes, provided all candidates and their representatives agree to the arrangement, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said Wednesday.

Garcia said the special polls would be conducted manually, which could delay the transmission of election results.

“Mayroon kaming bagong innovation na gagawin. Ipa-pilot test namin dito, kakausapin namin ang lahat ng mga kandidato,” Garcia told reporters in a chance interview.

(We have a new innovation that we will implement. We will pilot-test it here, and we will talk to all the candidates.)

Under the proposed arrangement, municipal boards of canvassers, including those in municipalities such as Itbayat, may transmit election results through Viber, Garcia said.

The transmission would require the consent of the candidates, their representatives and lawyers, he added.

“Kapag pumayag sila… ipapadala ng cellphone na accredited yung mismong result sa cellphone din ng board of canvassers, at yun ang ika-canvass without waiting for the physical copy ng statement of votes, COC, and SOVP,” Garcia said.

(If they agree, the actual results will be sent from an accredited mobile phone to the mobile phone of the board of canvassers. These results will then be canvassed without waiting for the physical copies of the Certificate of Canvass and Statement of Votes by Precinct.)

The special election will fill the vacancy in the House of Representatives left by the death of Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato Jr. last month.

Garcia said 13,138 voters are expected to participate in the special polls, with four candidates vying for the congressional seat.

The candidates include a former governor, a former Philippine Navy commodore, a member of a prominent political family in the province, and a relative of the late lawmaker, Garcia said.

“Mga importanteng indibidwal ang nagpa-participate dito,” he said.

(Prominent individuals are participating in the elections.)— MCG, GMA News

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