By Michelle Ducut
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Bicol Region has assured the public that critical electoral data and systems remain secure despite damages incurred from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Comelec-5 Director Maria Juana Valeza confirmed that while some equipment was damaged, essential files and data backups were preserved.
Bicol, particularly the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte, frequently faces destructive weather events. Given the upcoming midterm elections, ensuring data integrity is crucial. This commitment to data security reflects ongoing efforts to modernize election processes in the Philippines, a country that has embraced automated elections since 2010 to enhance transparency and reduce electoral fraud.