2003 Voters’ Education National Summit
Summit Declaration

1. ELECTORAL MODERNIZATION AND ABSENTEE VOTING
   
   
   • Proposes to launch a campaign to encourage the citizenry to check the voters lists as part of the validation process
   
   
   • Shall conduct voters education in and through local Parent-Teachers Associations (PTA)
   
   
   • Shall focus on information dissemination on the current Voters’ Education initiatives and programs
   
   
   • Proposes that the convenors to write President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to issue a EO/AO which would open the government stations as one of the possible vehicles and means disseminating voter education programs
   
   
   • Proposes that the convenors submit a position paper to the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) to emphasize the urgency of voters education in order to convince them to actively engage in the voter education campaign via their member networks
   
   
   • Proposes that the convenors hold workshops for the consolidation of voters education materials
   
   
   • Proposes that the convenors should campaign for the participation of elected officials in non-partisan voter education programs
      
2. PROPOSALS FOR COMMUNITY BASED VOTER EDUCATION
   
   
   • Proposes that the content of the voter education modules shall focus on the technical aspect of voting, given the immediate needs due to the changes in the system, but also on values formation which is equally important
   
   
   • Proposes that the CER act as a coordinative center for voter education initiatives
      
3. FIRST TIME VOTERS
   
   
   • Advocates for continuing registration coupled with a grassroots information campaign
   
   Advocates for new politics, good governance and active
   • citizenship
   
   
   • Assist in voters’ education programs of civil society organizations
   
   
   • To share network materials for FTVs (i.e. distribution, conceptualization)
   
   
   • Advocates for provisions concerned with the security measures during the transportation of ballots in the modernized system
   
   
   • A continuing advocacy for the decriminalization of minor offenses of teachers
   
   
   • Advocates for the implementation of provisions on legal assistance to teachers
   
   
   • To establish linkages and to network with Local Government Units and National Government Agencies
   
   
   • To advocate for effective media involvement in voters’ education
      
4. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTY LIST GROUPS
   
   
   • Proposes to network with other organizations on voter education initiatives especially on information dissemination on the party list system
   
   
   • Proposes that party list groups and other concerned organizations to come up with a common/ generic module for grassroots voter education campaigns specifically focused on the party list system
   
   
   • Proposes that teachers be relieved of their election day duties so that teachers may focus on voter/civic education campaigns, but also to unhinge teachers from the culture of patronage politics in their local areas which become systemic during elections
   
   
   • Proposes that COMELEC information materials on elections be translated into local languages and dialects
   
   
   • Proposes that voters’ education materials should focus on values formation and information dissemination on the background of candidates
   
   
   • Proposes to initiate a performance monitoring project for public officials, which will then report to a people’s assembly every six months
   
   
   • Proposes that the Commission on Elections and other election personnel should be the focus of voter/civic education, especially on the party list system
   
   
   • Proposes that party list groups be open to coordination with other networks
      
5. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ACADEME
   
   • The academe must assist in Identifying the particular needs of the voters through training needs assessments (TNAs)
   
   
   • The academe needs to develop a voter education curriculum focused specifically on the new laws, processes and technologies being introduced
   
    
6. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POLITICAL PARTIES
   
   
   • Proposes that political parties must present people with holistic programs in order to encourage a programmatic and ideological approach to elections
   
   
   • Proposes that political parties be able to present the visions of what they will be doing through platforms of governance
   
   
   • Proposes that political parties be accountable and transparent with their members by presenting the track records of their members
   
   
   • That political parties should know the needs of their constituents through comprehensive consultations
   
   
   • That political parties should value the principle of accountability to this constituents
   
   
   • Proposes that the political parties be one of the advocates for a strengthened and modernized political party system
      
7. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
   
   • That government agencies, based on their capacities, must ensure clean, orderly, fair and honest elections
   
   
   • That the Commission on Elections must enforce election laws in a transparent and unbiased fashion
   
   
   • That government agencies with voter education programs should not only concentrate on the dissemination of election laws but also on imparting empowering principles

Citizen-Voters' Education Secretariat
Institute For Electoral and Political Reform
54-C Mapagkawanggawa St., Teacher's Village, Quezon City, Philippines 1101
FAX: (632)433-0764 | Tel: (632)433-0764
© Citizen-Voters' Education 2005