Tech Retreat? COMELEC Scraps Blockchain Plans for 2028 Elections
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has shelved its ambitious plans to integrate blockchain technology and voter verification systems into the 2028 national elections, scrapping billions of pesos worth of proposed election modernization projects amid budget cuts and growing concerns over data privacy.
In a dramatic rollback of advanced election technology initiatives, COMELEC Chairman George Garcia confirmed that the poll body removed blockchain components and ballot verification features from its original ₱25-billion budget proposal, reducing the request by approximately ₱6 billion following recommendations from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
The decision effectively sidelines years of discussions about bringing blockchain-powered transparency and next-generation voter verification into the country's Automated Election System.
“We removed the ballot verification system and blockchain components because, in our assessment, elections can still be conducted without such feature of the machines,” Garcia said.
According to Garcia, the technologies were deemed nonessential to the conduct of elections, with COMELEC prioritizing cost-cutting measures and avoiding potential data privacy complications.
A Major Setback for Election Modernization?
The move marks a significant shift from previous efforts to explore blockchain as a safeguard against election fraud and manipulation.
For years, blockchain advocates argued that decentralized ledger technology could make election records virtually tamper-proof, increase public trust, and provide unprecedented transparency in the voting process.
Yet despite the promise of a more secure digital election infrastructure, COMELEC appears to be taking a more conservative path.
Garcia said the agency may revisit the technologies in future electoral cycles, but for now, the billions in projected savings will instead be redirected to other government priorities.
Years of Blockchain Exploration Now on Hold
COMELEC's latest decision comes after nearly a decade of discussions surrounding blockchain's potential role in Philippine elections.
In 2017 and 2018, former election technology provider Smartmatic Philippines publicly explored the use of blockchain as a defense against vote-rigging, while technology executives expressed confidence that local infrastructure could support the innovation.
By 2022, discussions shifted toward regulation, with election officials warning that cryptocurrencies could be exploited for illicit election-related activities such as vote-buying.
Momentum appeared to peak in 2023 during the National Election Summit, where COMELEC hosted dedicated sessions on blockchain-powered election solutions. Industry leaders presented proposals ranging from decentralized voter records to NFT-based voting receipts designed to create immutable proof of participation and enhance election transparency.
Those proposals now appear unlikely to make it into the 2028 polls.
Privacy Fears Trump Innovation
Beyond the budget squeeze, Garcia cited concerns over data privacy risks as another reason for removing the technologies from the procurement plan.
The concerns stand in contrast to claims from blockchain proponents who have long argued that decentralized systems can strengthen security by preventing unauthorized data alterations and creating permanent, auditable records.
The decision highlights the growing tension between innovation and risk management as governments worldwide grapple with how far to push emerging technologies into critical democratic processes.
Procurement Race for 2028 Begins
Despite abandoning the blockchain initiative, COMELEC insists preparations for the 2028 elections remain on track.
The procurement process for the next generation of automated counting machines is expected to begin as early as August or September, with contracts targeted for award in early 2027 to give suppliers enough time to manufacture and deliver the equipment ahead of the elections.
For now, however, one thing is clear: the vision of a blockchain-powered Philippine election has been put on hold, as COMELEC chooses fiscal restraint and operational certainty over a costly technological leap.