Cebu – Following the success of a pilot mall-voting initiative during the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, election officials are contemplating the expansion of this approach to additional regions for the 2025 elections.
According to Philippines News Agency, the regional director of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Central Visayas, the commission is exploring the feasibility of setting up polling centers in shopping malls across Cebu and neighboring areas for future national elections. Speaking to the Philippine News Agency on Thursday, Castillano acknowledged that while mall voting aligns with Comelec's mission to improve the voting process, the logistics of accommodating all voters in mall facilities by 2025 might present challenges.
Castillano noted that advantages of mall voting include better accessibility, convenience, and enhanced security compared to traditional voting in schools. He mentioned that the future implementation could potentially be a hybrid model, integrating both traditional and mall-based voting, dependent on the cooperation and available space in commercial establishments.
During the recent elections, residents of barangay Pari-an in Cebu City and those from Pitogo in Consolacion town were able to experience mall voting. Pari-an voters went to Robinsons Galleria in the North Reclamation Area, while Pitogo voters visited SM Consolacion.
Additionally, Castillano stated that the Comelec would continue disbursing payments to poll workers who officiated the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections starting Friday, with the goal of completing the honoraria distribution to teachers and non-teaching staff within the day.