QUEZON City, Philippines (February 1) – Commission on Election imposes restriction in taking “selfies” in polling precincts. This is to follow the COMELEC Resolution No. 9571, that prohibits the use carbon paper, paraffin paper or other means of making a copy of the contents of the ballot, or otherwise make use of any other scheme to identify his vote, including the use of digital cameras, cellular phones with camera or similar gadget. To clarify, what is not allowed is taking a picture of your filled ballot, it is completely alright to take pictures of blank ballots and the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI).
Let us keep in mind that the privacy in voting is for public safety. Our country had 110 political killings in 2001, and only four had been filed. Also, we should not forget the Maguindanao massacre in 2009 that killed journalists, lawyers, aides and the motorists who witnessed the deadliest event in the history of journalism.
Oftentimes, selfies were posted on social media, what would you get when you post the people you voted? There is so much reaction from a single post, hundreds of your friends with different perspective, can make. It could be an argument because you did not go for the same candidate. Worst is, you could receive a threat for not voting the other party. Imagine what a little action can make.
Voting is a privilege because your decision is being considered by the government. The decision that you made will affect not just you but the community as a whole. The responsibility of a voter does not start and ends at the polling precincts. The responsibility is entwined with citizenship.
There is a thin line between being a concerned and being a loud citizen in this issue. We’ve mistaken these loud people for being concerned, without thinking critically, that they have crossed the line. To be concerned is to speak for what has sense and significance to the community. To be concerned is to consider the people who will be affected.
“Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.” – Jean Jacques Rousseau.
References:
http://philippinedailyinquirer.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2006/10/phil-o17.html
https://www.google.com.ph/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=rousseau+quotes
(written by Karen Llacuna, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)
