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SM signs agreement with Comelec for mall voting project

Philippines | National

SM signs agreement with Comelec for mall voting project

By Dhel Nazario

SM Supermalls has partnered up with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the pilot testing of the mall voting scheme for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

Photo 1.JPG — SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Operations Bien Mateo (from left), Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, COMELEC Commissioner-in-Charge for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) Mall Voting Nelson Celis, and COMELEC Commissioner Rey Bulay. (Photo courtesy SM Supermalls)

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in SM City Manila on Aug. 7.

Five SM malls will be participating in the pilot implementation of mall voting: SM City Manila, SM City North Edsa, SM City Sucat, SM City Legazpi in Albay, and SM City Consolacion in Cebu for a total of more than 8,000 registered voters.

“Thank you, COMELEC for choosing us as your constant partner in giving the public better access to government services. We once again extend our hand to everyone, especially the youth, to come to our malls and take part in selecting the leaders of our local barangays and the Sangguniang Kabataan,” said Tan.

Meanwhile, Garcia, this project will help make it easier, more comfortable, and more efficient for voters to cast their ballots, especially the vulnerable sectors including the elderly, disabled, and pregnant women.

On Aug. 19, a simulation of the mall voting process will be held at SM City Manila and SM City Legazpi in Albay.

Comelec said that a total of 14 malls will be participating in the pilot test of the mall voting scheme.

Garcia said that if this pilot test will be successful, they plan to conduct this nationally in the May 2025 elections. He added that this is the first time that this will be done.

Related Tags

Comelec Commission on Elections (Comelec) comelec chairman george erwin garcia SM Supermalls Commission on Elections

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