The Commission of Elections and Smart Communications Inc. launched a web and mobile application service that aims to promote Voters’ Education. These services are called “e-Leksyon 2013″ and were developed by Comelec and Bitoopi, a group of young programmers from Smart.
The e-Leksyon web and mobile app allows users to simulate on filling out a sample ballot, a feature that will help voters know and practice the proper way of shading the forms. These services will also allow users to learn more about Comelec campaign rules, find the nearest precint, and report election campaign violations by sending reports and photos. If the user is in an area where there is no mobile internet connection, the report can be saved on the user’s device and can send it at a later time once mobile internet is available. Users who submit reports are sent a validation code by Comelec for verification of identity. Only verified reports are published online by Comelec.
“The team behind Bitoopi who generously gave their time and effort to make the official e-Leksyon services for Comelec are young voters and quite representative of a new generation of ‘apptivist’ developers who make apps and services for social good. We’re happy to support this spirit of volunteerism in Smart,” said Ramon Isberto, Smart Public Affairs Group Head.
According to Director James Jimenez, Comelec Spokesperson, he posted Comelec’s need for these services on Twitter last year. Paul Pajo of Smart Developer Network (Smart’s Developer Community Program) responded to it and shared the information to the DevNet community. Bitoopi, composed of Trina, Janus, Grace, Mark, & Cy made a prototype and presented to Comelec, and both groups refined the service according to the latter’s requirements. The management of Smart allowed the employees to work on the project and provided technical development support and resources through Smart DevNet.
Director Jimenez also noted that the e-Leksyon services are not only to be used for the May 2013 elections. They will also be used for the upcoming barangay elections and they are expected to be fine-tuned in time for the 2016 Presidential Elections. When asked if we can vote with our mobile phones in the future, Dir. Jimenez said “It’s possible.”
The e-Leksyon website can be accessed at http://report.mycomelec.tv and the mobile app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store. The Android version of the app will be released soon.
