MANILA, Philippines – A teachers’ advocacy group called for reforms in addressing “recurring problems” so as to protect the welfare of teachers and voters, but most important, the integrity of the electoral process.
In a news release from the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), Spokesperson Jim Lester Beleno said the organization’s recommendations are grounded in the “direct experiences of public school teachers” who served as poll workers during the recent 2025 national and local midterm elections.
According to Beleno, teachers endured long hours, technical issues, and logistical shortcomings during the elections.
“Our teachers remain committed to their vital role in ensuring clean and honest elections, but the realities they face in the field must be acknowledged,” Beleno said.
“The problems we witnessed this year were not just minor inconveniences—they disrupted voting, endangered the well-being of our teachers, and undermined public trust in the process,” Beleno lamented.
Beleno noted that one of the most pressing concerns was the lack of sufficient technical personnel in polling centers.
He explained that many precincts experienced delays due to malfunctioning Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), but in many cases, poll workers were left waiting for proper assistance.
“This should not happen in a fully automated electoral system. The presence of readily available technical support would have made a huge difference in maintaining the smooth flow of the elections,” he said.
TDC also raised concerns about the quality of election materials, especially ballots and markers, which Beleno said caused confusion and delay when they failed to register correctly in the machines.
In some cases, teachers had to repeatedly instruct voters on how to properly mark their ballots due to smudging or ink that did not meet machine requirements.
The group also urged the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to consider implementing early voting for vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
A separate schedule ideally a day before the official election date would help ease congestion and ensure a more comfortable voting experience for them, Beleno said.
In addition, TDC called for the expansion of precincts and a review of voting hours, noting that long queues and extended working hours led to exhaustion among poll workers.
“Many of our teachers endured working 24 hours or more, with very little rest, food, or time to attend to personal needs. That level of exhaustion is unacceptable,” Beleno said.
He also emphasized the importance of a strong internet connection and uninterrupted power supply in polling places, suggesting that COMELEC use reliable internet providers and explore alternative energy sources to prevent disruptions.
“These are not new issues, but they continue to be overlooked,” Beleno stressed. “If we truly value our democratic process, then we must ensure that every election is better than the last—not just for the results, but for the people who make it happen.”
TDC expressed hope that COMELEC would take these observations seriously and begin consultations with key stakeholders, including teachers’ groups, to implement meaningful reforms ahead of the next electoral cycle.
