Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will activate its Precinct Finder feature two weeks before the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections (BPE) on September 14.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia announced during the launch of the "Handbook on Data Privacy Policies" at Manila Cathedral in Intramuros that registered voters in the BARMM will soon have access to an online tool to locate their polling places. The launch of the Precinct Finder aims to enhance voter accessibility and ensure a smooth electoral process in the region.

Garcia emphasized the importance of the Precinct Finder by stating that while voter information sheets are being distributed throughout the Bangsamoro region, the Commission does not want to rely solely on them. The online tool will provide an additional layer of convenience and reliability for voters.

In response to past security concerns, Garcia highlighted Comelec's collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to prevent incidents similar to the "Comeleak" of 2016. During that event, the Comelec website was compromised, leading to a significant breach of sensitive voter data. Garcia assured that any system launched by the Commission now requires DICT approval to ensure robust security measures are in place.

Despite these precautions, Garcia acknowledged that no system is entirely foolproof. He noted that the constantly evolving nature of cyber threats requires the Information Technology Department (ITD) to remain vigilant and adaptive. He pointed out the risks associated with malicious messages, which could serve as entry points for hackers seeking to infiltrate Comelec systems.