Election officials in the Southern Mindanao have manifested “unrelenting support” to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC’s) vision to automate the national and local elections in May 10, 2010.

“We are one in the conviction that the conduct of an automated electoral exercise in this opportune time will ultimately pave the way for an efficient and credible election result particularly in the counting and canvassing of votes and will thus restore public confidence on chosen leaders,” said 113 Election Officers and Provincial Election Supervisors in Mindanao led by Region XII Acting Regional Election Director Michael C. Abas.

“Public welfare and the mission of this Commission shall then be served best under a fully implemented law on automation. So as the law was written, so it shall be done,” they said.

The manifesto, which was signed July 3, 2009 in General Santos City, was welcomed by COMELEC spokesman and Education and Information chief James Jimenez.

“We are delighted to hear of our field officials’ collective expression of support for this Commission’s determination to implement the much anticipated first ever fully modernized and automated elections in the country,” said Jimenez. ###