As the May 2022 elections draw near, newly-appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Erwin M. Garcia has asked the Comelec en banc for updates on various matters concerning the upcoming polls.

In his memorandum dated March 11, Garcia sought an update on “the recommendations of the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) as a result of its deliberations on March 1, 2022.”

And on the “specific documented results embodied under Section 11 of R.A. 9369 on the Functions of the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), including the significance of Paragraph 9 thereof, as to proceeding with the use of the Automated Election System (AES) without the TEC's certification.”

The memorandum, however, did not further elaborate the said matters.

In a separate memorandum, Garcia asked the Comelec en banc to ensure “complete transparency in all aspects” of the preparation for the May 2022 National and Local Elections (NLE).

“The undersigned humbly recommends that watchers, observers, citizens arms, representatives of candidates, political parties and party-lists, as well as the media and other stakeholders should be allowed to observe in all aspects and activities in the preparation and conduct of the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections (2022 NLE) subject to the limitations provided by law,” he said in a memorandum dated March 11, citing de-escalation of Covid-19 alert level.

With this, Garcia recommended to repeal the pertinent provisions in the resolutions issued by Comelec which “curtail, prevent, and limit the participation” of aforementioned individuals.

The commissioner emphasized the salience of transparency to protect the credibility of the polls,

“The Automated Election System (AES) is intricately technology- based. In order to prevent the spread of disinformation, misinformation, and doubt in the system and, ultimately, the election, this Commission must exert efforts to promote transparency,” he said.

“Thus, the presence of watchers, observers, and other stakeholders in the entire electoral process, from the printing of the ballots, configuration of secure digital cards (SD Cards), shipping and packaging of election paraphernalia, conducting the logic and accuracy test (preLAT) in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and other Data Centers and Regional Hubs, is essential.”

To further promote transparency and fight disinformation, Garcia said the poll body will give “timely periodic issuances pertaining to the preparation of the 2022 NLE, as well as conduct regular briefings to the media and all stakeholders.”

Garcia believes that particpation of all the stakeholders, without the rigid restrictions imposed during the height of the pandemic, will foster transparency and promote greater public confidence in the 2022 NLE.