CAS SPEECH CONTEST

CAS SPEECH ELECTION

Quick and Easy: Greater Responsibility

No more sleepless nights for the COMELEC and government employees on May 2010 election.

Decades ago, election has always been busy and full of unexpected events. As seen on news reports, first time voters fall in line for hours just to register. On the day of the election, the complaint of missing names, dead people voting and manipulation of votes are reoccurring problems. All of these are then blamed on the people behind the whole election process: the COMELEC and the teachers.

However, the existing trend will be no longer the same. Technology always has everything man would need. Cellular phones are for faster and cheaper communication, scanners for detecting fake money, and machines for the automated election.

Would this be the answer for a stress-free voting process? Or this new technological advancement will just bring additional problems?

According to Mr. Jessie H. Borro, head of the office of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) Miagao, Iloilo, the voting process will be quick and easy. Both the first time voters and the old ones will be exercising their right as Filipinos through shading or filling the circles.

Also, the days for counting all the votes will be shortened since the results will be transmitted from one place to another. This is made possible by service providers or the cellular networks, and of course, SMARTMATIC.

If this will be the predicted scenario for the upcoming election, voters are privileged because they will be hassle free. However, once the machines will be malfunctioning during the event, this will endanger the whole election.

Let us remember even if how machines make the life of men easy and convenient, they do not have brains of their own. Once they break down they do not have the initiative of what to do next. The power of the technology still lies on the people in order for them to be of use.

In the upcoming May 2010 election, everyone should do their part as voters. We should remember that we are the ones empowering these machines for the automated election. It is our responsibility to familiarized ourselves with the proper procedures during the whole process.

In addition, as part of our responsibility, our presence of mind on who to vote should also be given attention. Let us not get too excited in the newly introduced aid to us. We should still focus on our obligations as citizens and as Filipinos.

Things may be more convenient for us, but let us remember the burden we will have once we take for granted the things we are ought to do.