Commission on Elections Commissioner Elias Yusoph (left) receives a plaque of appreciation as lecturer on ‘Moral in Governance’ from Ulama League of the Philippines president Judge Aboali Cali while Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal ‘Bombit’ Adiong Jr. (right)

Marawi City – With the impending use of the poll automation in the coming elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is optimistically projecting substantial reforms in the electoral process in the country, particularly in Muslim areas that are perennially tagged as “hot spots.”

Comelec Commissioner Elias Yusoph said the automation program is a vital key to the eradication of many fraudulent electoral practices such as vote-padding and shaving (dagdag-bawas), enabling this time the poll body to focus on information campaign that would educate voters on proper practices under the computerized procedures.

While the automation program is long-clamored all over the country, it is expected to benefit more the Moro electorate, especially those in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which some sectors awkwardly tag as the country’s “election cheating capital,” Yusoph said.

In an interview following his lecture on “Moral in Governance” at the recently concluded two-day moral revival summit here, Yusoph took exception to such perennial sad tag on Muslim electorate, saying it is “very unfair” to the greater number of Muslims who shun unscrupulous electoral practices.

“Cheating is not a monopoly of the Muslim politicians and electorate. There are limited few areas in ARMM found involved in reported electoral frauds,” argued Yusoph, a former chief prosecutor who was acclaimed for his untarnished record in public service.

Being the lone Muslim election commissioner nowadays, he said he would take the cudgel of rallying reform-oriented groups in taking measures dissuading the Muslim electorate from involvement in electoral frauds.