A credible vote

If election watchdogs are getting accurate reports from the field, the country is awash with cash, from candidates engaged in last-minute courting of votes. Various quarters including the Church have issued the same advice when voters, especially the needy, are faced with such circumstances: take the money but vote wisely, according to your conscience.

The admonition has been given as far back as the Marcos dictatorship. Filipinos understand the message: sometimes short- term personal gains must be sacrificed for long- term ones, and what’s good for the nation is generally good for individual citizens. Looking beyond short-term gains and forgoing instant gratification, however, can be easier said than done for certain voters. What can be done is for stakeholders to prevent vote-buying and the many other ways by which politicians have learned to undermine free elections.

Apart from being on the lookout for vote buying, everyone can do his part in preventing election violence, which is the worst way of undermining the vote. All security forces are on high alert and a system is supposed to be in place for speedy reporting of violent incidents. There are hotlines for help in case of rising tension or the presence of armed elements. Special protection must be given to the teachers who are manning polling precincts and are vulnerable to armed attacks.

The nation has been receiving accolades in recent months for its economic performance and other positive indicators. This will be the first nationwide electoral exercise under the watch of President Aquino, and the results are seen as a referendum on his first three years in office. The way the vote is conducted and races are won will also reflect on his administration. Everyone has a stake in seeing to it that today’s vote will be clean, orderly, peaceful and credible.