Suffrage, Not Just A Right But A Responsibility.

May 2016 is fast approaching, and it is almost time again for us to vote for the people we see qualified to lead us for the next three to nine years. From early last year, the government has been preparing for the upcoming historical event. They have been endlessly resolving election related issues such as the qualifications of those running for office. One issue that is equally important as a politician’s qualification that needs to be addressed is the validity of the registered electorate.

Because of numerous election fraud throughout our political history, the Government, through Republic Act 10367, provided a way to ensure a clean and updated list of voters. It required voters, registered or new, to submit personally their biometric data which includes the voter’s picture, fingerprints and signature. By registering these data with the Voters Registration Machine (VRM), it can be ensured that each person is registered only once, and that all registered names are persons existing who are physically and civilly capable of voting.

The Comelec has been pushing with their “No Bio No Boto” campaign, it provides the deactivation of registered voters who fails to submit their biometrics, which results to not being able to vote. They were only given until October 31, 2015 to update their registration.

It is a big step by the government to ensure the sanctity of the electorate during election. It is only right that they verify each voter and it is also within their power to do so. People may have the right of suffrage but it is also the Government’s responsibility to ensure it is exercised properly. The people should, therefore, also be responsible as citizens. The campaign does not necessarily strip the people of their right but rather implements a stricter regulation on the procedures, it actually protects the welfare of the public by preventing fraudulent acts which sabotages the voice of the electorate.

The Government also needs enough time to prepare and make sure everything is furnished, this allows them to minimize problems on Election Day. With this, they have given the voters time to update their registration in accordance with law. It is now the voters’ responsibility to meet these voting requirements.

However, with the exponential growth of technology, I think the government can afford to give more time for the voters to update their registration. Giving a better chance that a bigger number of people can vote.

In the end, it is up to everyone to ensure an honest and clean election. We all should take responsibility in one of our most important right because it is our duty to do so. It is the future of our nation that is at stake here. We should not be complaining about the Governments performance if we ourselves would not be vigilant and responsible.