Group launches ‘Auto-Boto’ lecture series to guide voters

Posted on | February 1, 2010 | No Comments

The Movement for Better Values (MBV), a multisectoral nationwide organization of young entrepreneurs, informal settlers and students, formally launched its series of lecture/seminar to help educate the Filipino voters in the use of the automated voting machines for the May 2010 national elections.

The series of voters’ education campaign called “Auto-Boto” officially kicked off at Quinta Market in Quiapo, one of the richly populated areas in Manila, this Monday where the public was invited to participate in the mock voting using the virtual PCOS (precinct count optical scanner) following lectures conducted by MBV moderators.

Two other hands-on demonstration and voters’ education seminars were conducted at Tutuban Mall in Divisoria and in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City on the same day.

The “Auto-Boto” campaign is aimed at helping and ensuring that majority of our voters be educated and familiarized with the features of the new voting system. The group is one with the general idea that lack of actual and full knowledge of the automated voting system can result in massive confusion and eventual disenfranchisement of millions of voters come election day.

Problems with voters’ awareness, along with various technical issues and safeguards have plagued the automated elections from day-one the Comelec announced its implementation.

“When voters are not aware, then the electorate can be manipulated or people may just opt not to exercise their right to vote because they are intimidated or confused by the system,” Exequiel Villacorta Jr., MBV chairman, said.

The MBV series of seminar on automated voting system is scheduled to reach voters in the farthest barrios and barangays, especially those who have no access to TV or print media. On Feb. 2, the “Auto-Boto” seminar will be held in Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan City; on Feb. 3 in Mandaluyong City, Marikina City and Manggahan, Pasig City; Feb. 4 Laguna; Feb. 5 in Lucena City, Quezon; Feb. 6 in Las Pinas City, Pasay and Paranaque; Feb. 7 in Cavite; and on Feb. 8 in Batangas.

February 1, 2010