Why not use convenience stores and gasoline stations as polling places in the 2022 national elections?
Agusan del Norte 1st district Rep. Lawrence Fortun floated this idea on Friday amid talks that the democratic exercise could be postponed due to the dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"If the objective is to decongest the polling centers to ensure public health and safety, then one effective solution is to have more polling centers aside from the schools, military camps, and authorized malls," Fortun said.
"Perhaps, the networks of convenience stores which already have internet connection can be harnessed to serve as special polling precincts. This is being done in many countries around the world. Also present in many strategic locations nationwide are networks of gasoline stations and banks that have internet access," he noted.
"There are many ways to make the elections happen in May, 2022. These measures do not need legislative action. Comelec (Commission on Elections) can do all of these under existing laws," said the House Minority member.
Fortun noted that the next elections will give Filipinos the opportunity to hold accountable the sitting public officials based on their response to the pandemic.
"Leaders have been tested during this pandemic. Voters have compelling reasons to cast their ballots in regular elections as scheduled on the second Monday of May, 2022," he said.