COMELEC, PNP, and Army collaborate anew to ensure peaceful and smoother 2025 elections in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga - As the 2025 midterm elections draw near, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Provincial Police Office, and the Philippine Army are currently collaborating to develop new election methods to guarantee a peaceful and effective conduct of the upcoming elections.

The local elections in the province in 2022 were peaceful and well-organized, according to PNP-Kalinga; however, they stressed that preparation is necessary to keep the peace and order throughout the beginning till the end of the activity, and thus the collaboration.

The collaboration of the COMELEC, PNP, and Philippine Army aimed at further strengthening security measures and improving the overall election process in the province in 2025.

New vote-counting machines

On Friday, November 29, 2024, key officials from said agencies gathered at Camp Captain Juan M. Duyan in Bulanao, Tabuk City, and discussed new strategies that would make Kalinga a safe place to vote in 2025, as well as hassle-free election procedures.

During said meeting, COMELEC Kalinga Provincial Elections Supervisor Atty. Dexter Barry Cawis reported on the election process, including updates on changes in Vote Counting Machines (VCMs).

He said that South Korea's Miru Systems will replace the Smartmatic system as the new VCMs. The new VCMs are intended to minimize human error and cut down the waiting time for election results.

To help the public become familiar with the new VCMs and to equip the election personnel in their operation, a VCM roadshow and training sessions for VCM operators will be held in the coming days.

To recall, the new voting system was already demonstrated by the commission, headed by its Spokesperson and Education and Information Director Rex Laudiangco, at the Kalinga State University in September 2024.

The demo was attended by the students and teachers of KSU, who were able to learn about the features of the technology.

Security forces on standby

On their part, the PNP and the Philippine Army gave an assurance to the public that they are prepared to handle any challenges or incidents that may arise before, during, and after election day.

According to them, Kalinga remains peaceful, with no election-related incidents or threats identified as of November.

Through the efforts of COMELEC, PNP, and the Philippine Army, voters in the province will have the opportunity to vote in a safe and orderly environment.