The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has expressed openness to the recommendations of Israeli experts on how to conduct next year's general elections amid the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"At this stage, all suggestions will be considered," said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez in a statement.
One of the visiting Israeli experts in the Philippines said that it is possible to hold an election amid the COVID-19 pandemic, citing the experience of Israel.
“I am very proud to say that we did not see any increase in new cases due to the election day, and at the same time we as a country enabled all our citizens to participate in the democratic process,” said Chalm Markos Rafalowski, Disaster Management Coordinator of Magen David Adom in a press briefing on Friday, July 30.
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Rafalowski said that Israel was able to set up voting areas in hospitals and was able to have a system for those people under home quarantine.
"There might, however, be legal impediments to holding elections away from designated voting centers, but again, no ideas are off the table for now," said Jimenez.