by Ferdinand Patinio/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting a voter turnout in the May 13 mid-term polls at around 80 percent, an official said on Friday.
“We are hoping that we come close to 80-81 percent (as based on the) result of 2016 (election),” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said during a press conference at the launch of the voter’s education campaign in Manila with ride-hailing service company, Grab Philippines.
“Coming of the 81 percent voting turnout from 2016 and from anecdotal reports of more people they engaged in the elections certainly on social media you could see that sort of engagement is existing,” he added.
Jimenez is optimistic that the voters’ participation will be encouraging specifically with their partnership with the private company.
“There is room to believe to be cautiously optimistic that we will have higher turns out than expected and in addition to that, of course the activation of voters when they ride Grab vehicles through this voter education campaign will drive up that number even more,” Jimenez said.
“Marami sa mga botante na nagdedesisyon lamang na bumoto sila on election day (There will be a lot of people who will decide to vote on election day),” Jimenez added.
Comelec data shows that the voter turnout in the 2010 polls was 74 percent while it was 77 percent in the 2013 election.
On the other hand, the #OneDestination campaign, a tie-up between the Comelec and Grab, aims to encourage Filipinos particularly registered voters to participate in the May 13 polls.
Under the partnership, Grab will provide PHP50 discount to Metro Manila and Metro Cebu passengers when they go to the polling centers using the Grabshare discount code “ONEDESTINATION.”
Selected Grab car units will also have car stickers and flyers to be distributed to their passengers.
“As Grab, our role goes behind providing safe, seamless, and reliable services to our customers, but to also cultivate a sense of community and unity among our users. Through this campaign, we aim to inspire voter’s confidence and trust in the voting system, and move the Philippines forward to one destination, together,” said Brian Cu, president of Grab Philippines.
