12K teachers in Central Visayas hurdle tests to become electoral board members

Local

MORE than 12,000 public school teachers in Central Visayas have passed the certification exam administered by the Department of Science and Technology-Central Visayas (DOST-7), a requirement for those who will serve as electoral board (EB) members in the May 2025 midterm elections.

DOST-7 reported a passing rate of 92.78 percent, slightly higher than the national average of 91.96 percent.

The certification process, required under Republic Act No. 9369, is designed to ensure that at least one member of each EB is both information technology-capable and certified to operate the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) automated election system.

A total of 12,566 teachers in Central Visayas enrolled in DOST’s training and evaluation program, which includes both theoretical and hands-on components focused on the use of automated counting machines (ACMs).

The figures, however, are not yet final as several training sessions, particularly in Bohol, have yet to be completed and encoded into the system.

DOST-7 Assistant Director Dr. Tristan L. Abando explained that the final tally of certified EB members in Central Visayas will be updated after all remaining sessions are accounted for.

He noted that while the current number reflects those already processed, additional teachers are still undergoing evaluation.

DOST-7 Director Engr. Jesus Zamora Jr. emphasized the department’s role in equipping poll workers with the necessary technical skills to perform their duties effectively.

He said the certification serves as a safeguard to ensure that election-related procedures are carried out accurately and securely, especially given the automated nature of the electoral process.

While a small percentage of teachers did not meet the certification requirements, regional election officials assured the public that contingency measures are in place.

Comelec - Director Atty. Francisco Pobe said that replacement personnel will be sourced from an existing pool of backup teachers provided by the Department of Education (DepEd), all of whom have undergone the same training program.

He explained that all prospective EB members must demonstrate competence in using ACMs, including basic troubleshooting, to avoid delays and ensure smooth operations on election day.

Those who fail to meet the standard are not allowed to serve and are instead substituted with certified personnel from the DepEd list.

“Kung wala sila nipasar sa requirements as required by the Comelec through the DOST, then we will have to get another personnel from another DepEd batch of list,” Pobe said.

Comelec and DepEd have long maintained that EB members should be computer literate, especially since the conduct of elections has been fully automated since 2010.

Teachers assigned to these roles are expected not only to operate the machines but also to handle any technical issues that may arise during voting.

In addition to the training of educators, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is also preparing its personnel in case of election-related disruptions.

Fifty police officers in Bohol are scheduled to undergo training on March 26–27, followed by another batch in Cebu on March 27–28.

However, these personnel are not meant to replace teachers but to serve as standby support should any EB member withdraw due to peace and order concerns.

Comelec clarified that the deployment of police officers in this capacity is a precautionary measure.

Their presence is intended to ensure continuity in the electoral process, particularly in areas where tensions may arise or where assigned teachers may be unable to serve due to security issues.

Under Republic Act No. 10756, also known as the Election Service Reform Act, election duty is no longer compulsory for public school teachers.

In cases where volunteer teachers are unavailable or disqualified, Comelec has the authority to assign non-teaching DepEd personnel, other government employees, or even private school teachers to serve as EB members.

Strict guidelines are also in place to preserve the integrity and impartiality of the elections.

One of these rules prohibits EB members from being related by blood or marriage within the fourth civil degree to any fellow board member, candidate, or candidate’s spouse in their assigned polling precinct.

With just over a month to go before the May 12 elections, Comelec continues to coordinate with DOST, DepEd, and other agencies to ensure that polling personnel are trained, certified, and ready.

In Central Visayas, authorities have noted that most areas remain outside the election hotspot classifications, indicating a stable security environment for the polls.

The upcoming midterm elections will see nearly 68 million registered voters choosing 12 senators, 254 district representatives, 63 party-list representatives, and thousands of local officials nationwide.

Preparations, including voter education campaigns and logistical coordination, are ongoing to ensure an orderly and credible electoral process.(MyTVCebu)