(Photo courtesy of La Union provincial government)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking to tap Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel as members of Electoral Boards (EBs) in future polls, especially in areas tagged as critical.
Comelec chair George Garcia said it is part of their contingency plan in augmenting election personnel, noting that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and AFP make a good combination in providing not only security but also in assisting voters.
“It's a good combination of the AFP and PNP. After all, they also have civil duties,” he said in a press briefing Friday.
Garcia noted that they would take advantage of the lessons and experiences during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) held on Oct. 30.
“We know more or less where we will add forces and where there will be problems. We will take advantage of what we gathered at BSKE,” he said.
EBs are primarily made up of public school teachers, who take part in the counting and transmission of results.
Garcia reiterated the BSKE was a success because they canvassed the results and proclaimed the winners in the fastest time, all done by Friday.
However, he said, the Comelec is not setting aside violence and election-related deaths. (PNA)
