UPOU conducts Usapang Mock Elections, Pulitika, Kaunlaran, atbp. ng UPOU Online Community

The results and discussion of the Mock Elections 2022 conducted online by the UP Open University (UPOU) within the UPOU community from 8 April 2022 to 15 April 2022 were presented in the webinar entitled: Usapang Mock Elections, Pulitika, Kaunlaran, atbp. Ng UPOU Online Community on 28 April 2022. 

The Mock Elections 2022 within the UPOU community was conducted to promote the constituents’ participation in the democratic process and encourage critical thinking in choosing their presidential, vice presidential, and senatorial candidates.

The statistical analysis of the mock elections was discussed by Ms. Kristine Joy S. Briones, Research Consultant from UP Statistical Center Research Foundation, Inc. She dissected the results by each voting sector based on their age group, assigned sex at birth, geographical location, and classification of their UPOU constituency. 

Following this, the President of Asian Social Project Services, Inc. (ASPSI) and UPOU Senior Lecturer, Dr. Merlyne Paunlagui, discussed the various mock elections being conducted by universities, other institutions, and even a convenience store. She also also the significance of the analysis of the mock election results based on smaller groups within the sample.

The importance of mock elections as a tool for voter education was tackled by the Program Chair of Master of Public Management, Asst. Prof. Juvy Lizette Gervacio. She mentioned that the six indicators of good governance arevoice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.

The implications of governance to gender and social development was discussed by the UPOU Office of Gender Concerns director, Dr. Finaflor Taylan, while considerations related to the health sector was discussed by Asst. Prof. Myra Oruga. Asst. Prof. Oruga delved into the pandemic crisis that the country dealt with in the past two years, and continues to face today. Economic considerations were also explored by Ms. Briones, discussing the impact of governance and the possible effects of a new governance to the economic state of the country.

To delve into the importance of informed decision-making of Filipino voters, UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) Dean, Dr. Joane Serrano, discussed how the UPOU Mock Elections 2022 also aims to promote critical thinking among voters by knowing the differences of the candidates’ platforms to exercise their rights as citizens of a democratic country. While the discussion on environmental impacts was led by Dr. Consuelo Habito, exploring what aspects of our environment we need to consider in choosing our policymakers and leaders. 

The webinar discussion was concluded after a series of questions from the viewers were addressed by the speaker and reactors. The webinar was livestreamed in various online UPOU platforms including UPOU Facebook Page, Youtube, and UPOU Networks website.

Written by Shaznay Nicole Sumiran

Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Anna Canas-Llamas