Curing Vote-Buying
More than ever, vote buying was the strategy of choice this past elections. This is understandable because the offices at stake (or for sale, as appropriate) were local positions. Vote buying is difficult, expensive and inefficient on a national scale.
Besides, the candidates were seeking the votes of their community. Presumably, they are more in touch with constituents than the senatorial candidates.
But more prevalent this elections was "negative vote-buying." And this one is particularly insidious. A voter would be severely tempted not to vote because he will not have to go through the hassle of commuting to and from the polling place, and waiting in line, and yet he still gets paid. The low voter turn-out this elections readily shows this was used by the cheaters this time around.
I have been racking my brains how to cure vote-buying. These are the things that come to mind:
1. Strictly enforce the voter's purge. I understand that the rule is a person who does not vote in two consecutive elections will be stricken off the list and has to re-register. With the prevalence of negative vote-buying this elections, I'm tempted to reduce this requirement to one: miss one election, you get purged. That way, a voter would not be as tempted to sell his right to vote (as he will not have anything to sell come next elections).
2. Voter education. The perils of voter irresponsibility should be adequately explained to the public. This should be the thrust of the COMELEC's work during off-season.
3. Voter vigilance. Watchdog organizations should likewise exercise vigilance in the days before actual elections, not just election day onwards. Vote-buying usually occurs during the night before elections.
But then again, we really cannot stop people from selling out because of poverty. But it should be an informed and voluntary choice. People should be taught of the consequences and the evils of selling one's vote, or else, they will learn it the hard way (like what it happening now...).
Besides, the candidates were seeking the votes of their community. Presumably, they are more in touch with constituents than the senatorial candidates.
But more prevalent this elections was "negative vote-buying." And this one is particularly insidious. A voter would be severely tempted not to vote because he will not have to go through the hassle of commuting to and from the polling place, and waiting in line, and yet he still gets paid. The low voter turn-out this elections readily shows this was used by the cheaters this time around.
I have been racking my brains how to cure vote-buying. These are the things that come to mind:
1. Strictly enforce the voter's purge. I understand that the rule is a person who does not vote in two consecutive elections will be stricken off the list and has to re-register. With the prevalence of negative vote-buying this elections, I'm tempted to reduce this requirement to one: miss one election, you get purged. That way, a voter would not be as tempted to sell his right to vote (as he will not have anything to sell come next elections).
2. Voter education. The perils of voter irresponsibility should be adequately explained to the public. This should be the thrust of the COMELEC's work during off-season.
3. Voter vigilance. Watchdog organizations should likewise exercise vigilance in the days before actual elections, not just election day onwards. Vote-buying usually occurs during the night before elections.
But then again, we really cannot stop people from selling out because of poverty. But it should be an informed and voluntary choice. People should be taught of the consequences and the evils of selling one's vote, or else, they will learn it the hard way (like what it happening now...).
transcription by Punzi @ 8:06 AM
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