In a groundbreaking move for the Zamboanga Peninsula, KCC Mall de Zamboanga has signed an agreement with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to serve as a polling station for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. The signing ceremony, held on February 21, 2025, was attended by key figures including lawyers Jan Christian Babiera and Renault Macarambon, alongside KCC Mall’s marketing manager Ivy Joy Orpia and events coordinator Marthy Melon. This initiative marks the first instance of mall voting in the region, aiming to enhance the voting experience for the public.
The convention center within KCC Mall de Zamboanga will transform into a polling place, accommodating six clustered precincts. Each precinct will be equipped with an Automated Counting Machine (ACM) to serve a total of 4,944 registered voters from Barangay Camino Nuevo. This shift from the traditional voting location at Zamboanga Central School to the mall is expected to offer a more comfortable and accessible environment for voters.
Lawyer Jan Christian Babiera, the city election officer, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting the mall’s supportive stance. Lawyer Renault Macarambon, the election director for the Zamboanga Peninsula, highlighted the potential benefits of mall voting, particularly for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. He also suggested that this approach could help mitigate issues like vote buying.
Antonio Deles, the Barangay Chairperson of Camino Nuevo, shared that his community is pleased with the new voting arrangement, appreciating the comfort it promises. This year’s election will be the second time Comelec has implemented mall voting, following a pilot program in 10 shopping centers, primarily in Metro Manila, during the previous election cycle.