Broadcasting giant ABS-CBN has partnered with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to recreate the new ?Halalan? app for mobile devices, allowing voters access to vital information that the Comelec used to provide through its website before it was attacked and brought down by hackers a few weeks back.
The app allows Filipinos to check their status as voters, locate their precincts, check national candidates’ profiles, decide on their final bets through a ballot cheat sheet, get updated on election-related news, and also directly report election violations to the Comelec.
First launched in 2012, the newest version of the Comelec Halalan app can now update users on the status of their election violation reports sent through the app.
Both ABS-CBN News and Comelec have put up their respective command centers to immediately respond to voter queries and complaints.
For its part, ABS-CBN News is tapping its citizen journalism arm, Bayan Mo iPatrol Mo (BMPM), which had an extensive experience handling citizen queries and complaints in the past elections.
Users only have to create an account and register to use the app to report election violations. The new version also includes election data and facts and figures that may be shared on social media to spread awareness on election issues and help voters make informed decisions when they cast their ballots on election day.
Arlene Burgos, ABS-CBN News digital head for social media and mobile, said the new Comelec Halalan 2016 app is a big improvement from its earlier versions, and gives voters a unique experience that no other election app can provide.
?We listened to the people and worked hand-in-hand with the Comelec to come up with an app that can really be useful to voters. Thankfully, through everyone?s hard work, we?ve come up with an app that makes it easier for citizens to report or inquire, empowers the Comelec to act on these submissions by our citizens and Bayan Patrollers,? Burgos said.
The Comelec Halalan 2016 app is available on App Store and Google Play and can be downloaded for free.
