Lente calls for comprehensive electoral reforms

The Imperative for Comprehensive Electoral Reforms

As the world continues to evolve, it is essential that our electoral processes remain transparent, inclusive, and accessible. The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) has emphasized this imperative in its recent call for comprehensive electoral reforms.

Electoral Reforms Ensuring Transparent Elections

On Monday, Lente stressed the need for a comprehensive electoral reform agenda to enhance the accessibility, inclusivity, and transparency of our elections. While proposed laws such as the Anti-Dynasty Law and Party-List System Reform Law are crucial steps towards strengthening accountability in governance, they cannot stand alone.

A Broader Reform Agenda

What is needed is a broader set of reforms that aim to improve accessibility and inclusivity, decongest voting centers, update campaign finance regulations, and institutionalize key Comelec offices such as the Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) and the Vulnerable Sectors Office (VSO). By doing so, Lente emphasized that these reforms will truly level the playing field and rebuild public trust.

Electoral Reforms A Necessity for a Healthy Democracy

In an era where voting can be as complex as navigating a shifting landscape, it is crucial that our electoral processes remain robust and reliable. The last substantive electoral law passed to benefit a broad range of election stakeholders was enacted in 2016. Since then, much has changed, and it is essential that our electoral reforms keep pace.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Lente stressed that voting should be made easier and more comfortable for vulnerable sectors of society, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, among others. By institutionalizing the Comelec Vulnerable Sectors Office, we can ensure that every Filipino has the opportunity to exercise their right to suffrage.

Local Absentee Voting A Game-Changer

Lente also emphasized the importance of expanding local absentee voting to cover all qualified voters performing public functions or duties on election day. This will improve the inclusiveness of elections and make it easier for people to vote, regardless of their circumstances.

Enhancing Comelec Independence

The group welcomed reforms that would enhance the independence of the Comelec and its field offices by amending Section 53 and 55 of the Omnibus Election Code. By shifting the burden of providing office spaces from local government units (LGUs) to the Comelec itself, we can shield the Commission from political pressures.

Conclusion

As Lente emphasized, it is time to move beyond promises of genuine elections to a complete and coherent electoral reform agenda. With comprehensive reforms, we can ensure that our elections are not only free but also fair, just, and transparent. It is imperative that we work towards an era of robust democracy, where every Filipino has the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.