Election reforms

Regardless of the outcome of his impeachment, An- dres Bautista has resigned and is on his way out as chairman of the Commission on Elections. Two Comelec commissioners will also be retiring early next year.

The changes and internal turbulence should not distract the Comelec from preparations for the midterm elections in 2019, and the twice-postponed barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls next year.

Apart from the regular cleanup of voters’ lists, the Comelec may have to look for a new supplier or operator of voting machines as the current one, Smartmatic, becomes entangled in allegations of corruption hurled against Bautista by his estranged wife. If new machines will be procured, it will call for a public bidding – normally a long-drawn-out process in this country – as well as several tests. The Comelec must move swiftly on this matter.

For the long term, the Comelec must draw up reforms in the electoral system, including proposals that will need legislative action. Campaign financing must be rationalized, made transparent, and regulated through laws that can be effectively enforced. The opaqueness of campaign financing is one of the roots of corruption in this country.

The Comelec can also propose reforms if not the abolition of the party-list system, which has become a joke and an additional burden on taxpayers. And with President Duterte explaining that he wanted the barangay elections postponed to prevent drug money from being used by narco politicians for the campaign, the Comelec may also work with stakeholders in proposing reforms in the barangay system.

All these tasks require the full attention of the Comelec, but inevitably, the impeachment trial of its chairman will prove to be a major distraction. The two new commissioners who will fill the vacancies next year will also need some time to learn the ropes. There are tough challenges ahead, and the Comelec cannot afford to be derailed in its tasks.