MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is modernizing the election process by introducing mall-based polling precincts, with Cagayan de Oro City selected as the pilot area to enhance voter convenience and accessibility.
“Cagayan de Oro is one of the pilot testing areas for mall voting. Here in Cagayan de Oro, we have set up mall voting testing in Limketkai, accommodating approximately 5,000 to 7,000 voters. SM Downtown, SM Uptown, and Centrio malls will serve as polling venues. Nearly all the malls in the city are participating in this initiative,” announced COMELEC Misamis Oriental Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Carlito Ravelo.
He said this widespread participation by malls underscores the collaborative effort to enhance the electoral experience for voters.
Although the mall voting initiative is confirmed, Atty. Ravelo emphasized that the voting technology for election day has yet to be decided.
“We are still determining whether the election will use the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) or the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting machine. This decision will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth execution of the pilot test and its potential scalability for future elections,” he explained.
COMELEC Bukidnon Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Aleli Dayo-Ramirez also provided important insights into the program’s scope. She clarified that not all voters in the pilot areas would be eligible to participate in mall voting.
“There will be specific precincts assigned to the various mall voting areas, and only voters belonging to those designated cluster precinct numbers will be allowed to vote at the malls. This limitation is necessary to manage the pilot test efficiently and evaluate its effectiveness without overwhelming the system,” she stated.
Ramirez said the mall voting initiative represents a shift towards creating a more voter-friendly election process, addressing long-standing challenges such as accessibility and convenience.
“Should the pilot test prove successful, it may pave the way for nationwide implementation of mall-based voting in future elections. This initiative reflects COMELEC’s commitment to improving voter turnout and enhancing the overall election experience,” she added. (JAKA/PIA–10)
