Comelec elected to key poll group positions

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday said the poll body was elected vice chair of the Association of World Election Bodies (A-Web) during the organization’s general assembly in Bogota, Colombia, held on Wednesday.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco, in a statement, said the poll body, represented by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, garnered 26 votes from the 40-member A-Web, winning over the electoral bodies of Ecuador and Mauritius.

The Comelec will serve as vice chair for the years 2024 to 2026, and then automatically assume the chairmanship from 2026 to 2028, pursuant to the organization’s bylaws.

Last Sept. 11, the Comelec was unanimously elected vice chair of the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) during its general assembly in Taipei, Taiwan. The poll body will hold the position from 2024 to 2026 and afterwards also serve as chair for the years 2026 to 2028.

Rare leadership roles

“This leads to a side-by-side Comelec leadership of both the AAEA and the A-Web, as vice chairperson and chairperson in successive terms; indeed, unprecedented, and one for history books,” Laudiangco said.

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He added that Comelec’s election to A-Web and AAEA represents the “unequivocal vote of confidence” that electoral bodies around the world are giving to the commission.

“This commission is truly honored and is looking forward to work with fellow election bodies toward one common goal: a free, fair, honest, credible and transparent elections—efforts [that] will be carried on as the Philippines holds the chairmanships come 2026 to 2028,” Laudiangco said.