Intensifying the participation of the Filipino youth in elections and technological reforms were the main points that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brought up as he spoke before members of the Commission on Elections and participants in the National Election Summit in Pasay City on Friday.

In his brief speech, Marcos Jr. expressed appreciation for the poll body’s initiative to gather responses from the public and stakeholders for proposed reforms in the conduct of elections, calling it a “long delayed” measure.

He also showed his support for the joint initiative of integrating voter education into the K-12 curriculum and the National Service Training Program and the further training of teachers as members of electoral boards.

“As we engage in discussions among our students and the Filipino youth, we likewise promote and encourage them to form and cast an informed vote, as well as discerningly choose the leaders of our society,” the President said.

He also urged reforms in the technological aspect of elections, particularly in the current automated transmission and canvassing of votes.

“Now that we use modern technologies to advance and make our election system more reliable, I am sure that we can implement positive reforms and make election results transmission faster and maintain its accuracy,” Marcos said.

The President said the three-day summit that ended yesterday would bring needed reforms ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October.

Marcos received a copy of the summit report after his speech. The report, according to Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis, provides a summary of proposed policy solutions on electoral reforms suggested by the participating organizations during their 53 pre-summit meetings since November last year.

“The summit’s outcome will be critical in shaping the future of Philippine elections. The insights and feedback from all stakeholders will enable the Comelec to enhance its election administration and enforcement mechanisms, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote transparency in the electoral process,” Celis said earlier in the day.