The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is expecting around 60 million voters this coming 2022 national elections. While the COMELEC already exceeded the target of newly registered voters at about 5.3 million, the real challenge is having the same number of people go to precincts on May 9, 2022, to vote.
With only a 75% voter turnout during the 2019 mid-term elections, and 84% in 2016 presidential elections, plus the immobilizing effects of the pandemic, it has been increasingly important for the public and the government to work together to encourage the entire voting population to go to the polls come election day.
With the mission to provide quality education to all segments and to help solve problems of industry and society, the iPeople schools have been producing civic-minded industry leaders with passion for nation-building as one of their goals. This has inspired the educational group to create the necessary awareness among the youth and to launch its voter education campaign “E-Leksyon: Boto Ko, Bukas Ko.”
This non-partisan advocacy was launched simultaneously on social media by Mapúa University, Malayan Colleges Laguna, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Malayan High School of Science, University of Nueva Caceres, National Teachers College, and the APEC Schools.
Done in partnership with COMELEC, the iPeople Schools’ nationwide campaign aims to educate students and their respective communities on the importance of voter registration, responsible voting, and more importantly, the exercise of their right of suffrage.
“Elections are a very important, if not the most important, element of a democracy. It is the duty of every Filipino and every member of our organization to participate in the electoral process. The act of voting itself, the safeguarding of the sanctity of votes, and the higher percentage of Filipinos who exercise their right to vote will lead to a more representative and confident government,” said Mapúa University and iPeople president and chief executive officer Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea.
“The greater the credibility of the process, the more legitimate and stable becomes the incoming administration. We all win,” he added.
COMELEC Commissioner Socorro B. Inting seconded this and put due emphasis on the act of voting itself.
“Voter registration is the first step toward realizing our collective goal of lasting change and genuine reform. Only by complying with it are we allowed to vote for the next leaders who will govern our nation. I wish to emphasize that your responsibility as new registrants must not end with registration. You also have to show up on election day and vote,” said Commissioner Inting.
To encourage iPeople’s 60,000-strong student body, the student leaders from various organizations and administration representatives released a Manifesto signifying their intent to become responsible voters during the campaign’s online launch. This was followed by video messages from youth student ambassadors from each school.
The eight-month-long “E-Leksyon: Boto Ko, Bukas Ko” voter registration and awareness drive will host an online forum each month leading to the 2022 elections. It will also roll out a voter education module, voter education video, social media campaign, and a series of contests to engage the youth.
“This is a massively important project. This is a way of making sure that every single Filipino, every single youth in your schools is aware of what it exactly means to be a registered voter. Remember, the elections are something that we are all responsible for,” said COMELEC Director of Education and Information Department James Jimenez.
To learn more about the iPeople Schools’ “E-Leksyon: Boto Ko, Bukas Ko” advocacy, visit https://www.facebook.com/ELeksyon.BotoKoBukasKo.
