DESPITE the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission on Elections expects a voter turnout of at least 80 percent in the 2022 National and Local polls.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez cited the Palawan plebiscite as basis for their optimism. The voter participation in that exercise exceeded their expectations even with the quarantine protocols in place.

"In the Palawan plebiscite last March, we were expecting a 40 percent turnout, but as it happened it reached 61 percent," Jimenez said in an online forum last week.

He said they also made a similar observation in countries, which held an election during the pandemic.

Historically, Jimenez said voter turnout during a presidential election is higher compared to midterm polls.

"We had a voter turnout of 80 percent in 2016 [presidential polls], which became 76 percent [during the 2019 midterm elections]. We think we are going to hit 80 percent despite the pandemic," Jimenez said.

Currently, Comelec said it has registered around 60 million voters, who could cast their vote in the 2022 polls.

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