Ateneo, Comelec sign deal for 2023 National Election Summit

Joint push for electoral and political reforms seen

FORGING COLLABORATIONS. The Commission on Elections, represented by Commissioner Nelson Celis (middle), poses with their partners from the academe and civil society for the 2023 National Election Summit.

MANILA – Together with other universities, election watchdogs, and multi-sectoral groups, Ateneo de Manila University (Ateneo), through Ateneo School of Government (ASOG), will work with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on improving the election management in the country through proposed political and electoral reforms.

During a courtesy visit at the Comelec office last Friday, ASOG Dean Dr. Philip Arnold Tuaño and Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis discussed the importance of the partnership in light of the push for revising the Omnibus Election Code and the proposed digital transformation of the Commission.

WORKING TOGETHER. (left to right) Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis shakes hands with Ateneo School of Government Dean Dr. Philip Arnold Tuaño after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between Comelec and Ateneo de Manila University for the 2023 National Election Summit.

As part of their efforts for inclusive and meaningful reforms, Comelec conducted nationwide dialogues and consultations with various election stakeholders to address key electoral reforms and enhancements. Since the last quarter of 2022, ASOG, through the non-partisan, pro-democracy coalition PARTICIPATE, has been involved in pre-summit discussions and consultations on the said reforms.

TOWARDS REFORMS. (left to right) Comelec Commissioner Nelson Celis met with PARTICIPATE Chief of Party Dr. Julio Teehankee to discuss possible electoral and political reforms as well as future collaborations after the 2023 National Election Summit.

PARTICIPATE Chief of Party Dr. Julio Teehankee noted that this collaboration will be vital in achieving the needed reforms on campaign finance, civic education and voter engagement, political party development, and voter registration and verification.

The first 2023 National Election Summit will be held from March 08 to March 10 at a hotel in Pasay City. It will be attended by more than 400 stakeholders including election monitoring groups, academe, government agencies, legislators, and civil society organizations.

The three-day event will cover numerous issues related to the electoral process, including campaign finance, civic education and voter engagement, and automated elections.

Several groups and stakeholders including the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Democratic Insights Group, Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), and Right To Know, Right Now Coalition are among those who have already signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Comelec for a partnership for their upcoming summit.