“No-El would entail term extension for Arroyo”

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Mong Palatino today called on all Pinoy youth to practice “vigilance at all costs” as Comelec chairman Jose Melo expressed worries of a No-El scenario in 2010.

Palatino said that a No-El scenario would benefit only Malacanang as it would entail “virtual term extension for Pres. Arroyo and her administration”.

“We expect the Comelec to make good its promise of revealing the results of the bidding process for poll automation over the weekend. Continuous delay of bidding developments would make the process more vulnerable to No-El tactics by parties with term extension motives,” Palatino said.

Even before Melo expressed his fears, Palatino had already earlier warned of a No-El scenario caused by bidding delays, saying that the Comelec might not have enough time to pilot test automated machines which could possibly lead to election irregularities tantamount to a failure of elections scenario.

“We share Melo’s fears but vow to be more vigilant to prevent a No-El from taking place. The youth have had enough of this regime, the youth wants change. The first step towards that change is for the youth and the people to be able to exercise their right of suffrage in 2010,” Palatino said.

Palatino said that Kabataan Party-list will include vigilance against a No-El scenario as a significant component in its nationwide “We Are Change” voters’ registration and education campaign.