To enhance skilled and credible manpower in handling modern electoral technologies and processes for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) partnered with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, Oct. 4.
In a statement, CHED said the partnership will facilitate the utilization of students and personnel from higher education institutions (HEIs) with Information Technology Education (ITE) programs as Manpower Technical Support Personnel and CCS Technicians throughout the electoral process.
“I guarantee the skills and competence of the people from our HEIs across the country,” said CHED Secretary Popoy De Vera.
As they continuously receive opportunities for upskilling and reskilling, De Vera expressed confidence that their “skills and knowledge are up to date with new technologies, and they will be able to adapt to the pressures of the election process.”
CHED, led by De Vera, and Comelec Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Comelec central office for this collaboration aimed at supporting the 2025 national and local polls.
Garcia, for his part, said Comelec “has no better partner in this undertaking than the academic institutions, especially students and faculty from Information Technology programs.”
“By partnering with CHED and our higher education institutions, we ensure the credibility and integrity of the electoral process,” Garcia added.
CHED is expected to mobilize its regional offices to identify HEIs with ITE programs in each municipality willing and qualified to assist during the 2025 National and Local Elections.
According to CHED, the selected personnel from these HEIs will be trained by Comelec to develop the qualifications and technical skills required during the electoral process, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of political neutrality.
CHED said this partnership will remain in effect until the completion of the 2025 NLE.