An election well done

PANGASINENSES can stand proud and congratulate themselves for an election that was generally carried out smoothly.

Not many places in the country, despite the overall positive outcome for the first automated polls in the Philippines, can lay claim to an election proceeding that was practically free from violence, not marred by cheating in terms of the vote-counting, and no other major setbacks encountered.

Vote-buying was still rampant, but this is something that can only change in the future if the electorate puts its foot down and refuse to sell its votes to the highest bidding politician. The voters will hopefully come to that, sooner rather than later. But for now, it was admirable enough how voters went out and patiently waited through the long lines – as was expected with the introduction of the new computers in the voting system – in order to cast their ballots.

The teachers too deserve a standing ovation for carrying out the difficult task of seeing through the administration of the computerized elections despite limited training given to them. Members of civil society and church groups that helped in ensuring clean and honest elections also deserve high praises.

The Commission on Elections, which many people doubted would be able to pull through the automated polling, did manage to deliver and election results have actually been tallied and winners for local positions announced within less than a week after the May 10 voting.

Congratulations are in order to all the proclaimed winners. The losing candidates, especially those who have humbly conceded, also deserve commendation for their graciousness in defeat.

In less than two months, the newly-elected local government leaders will be walking into their offices where they will be working for the next three years. May the positive energy brought about by the success of the May 10, 2010 election be their inspiration in carrying out good governance practices through projects and programs that will concretely redound to the improvement of the lives of those who voted and ensured the sacredness of our democracy.

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