Critics of the Philippines election, both local and international, had observed that voter education efforts in the past elections are inadequate to address the perennial problems which ail the Philippine elections. Today, our registered voters are numbered at more than 42 million. They are distributed in 79 provinces, 116 cities, 1,501 municipalities and 41,974 barangays nationwide. This statistical record poses a big challenge to the COMELEC how it can provide the voters with appropriate knowledge, skills and values on how they can best exercise their rights and duties, as well as reduce, if not eliminate, abuses and violations during elections.
In this context, the idea for the COMELEC Voter Education Program “Boto Ko, Ikararangal ko!” germinated sometime in November 2004. Originally intended as an electoral reform initiative that will answer the public clamor for enlightened citizenry, the Education and Information Department (EID) drafted the Trainers’ Training Program to empower key leaders of organized groups and government units as partners of COMELEC in educating the voters. And on February 2006, the Voter Education Program reached the University of the Philippines.
Voter Education in Quezon City conducted by KALINANGAN ng UP:
Date: March 8, 2006
Venue: Barangay Hall
Number of Prticipants: 34
Date: March 11, 2006
Venue: Barangay Covered Court
Number of Prticipants: 48
Date: April 29, 2006
Venue: Barangay Hall
Number of Prticipants: 109
Date: May 20, 2006
Venue: Barangay Hall
Number of Prticipants: 22
Date: July 8, 2006
Venue: Barangay Covered Court
Number of Prticipants: 34
