The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will try to entice children to value their right to vote when they are old enough by employing mascots in its voter education campaign.

Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said they are currently developing a module in which mascots would be used in teaching children everything about the elections.

“Start them young and it doesn’t have to be hard sell. It should be age appropriate just sex education. You don’t have to teach them about political parties,” he said.

“So for example in a kindergarten class, we will ask them to choose between two mascots let’s say between a dog and a bird. If the bird wins, then those who supported the dog should learn to accept their defeat. At a young age they already know the concept of choosing sides and that sometimes you’ll win, sometimes you’ll lose. With that kind of thinking hopefully they’ll be more open to accept voter education once they are in High School,” added Jimenez.

Aside from mascots, the Comelec is looking at the possibility of invigorating the concept of class officers.

“We also want to look at re-invigorating the concept of class officers because that’s a very good entry point because they also elect there,” Jimenez said.

He said there is also a need to educate the teachers who will give the voter education to students.

“The teacher has to undergo voter education also because the teacher will have to contextualize everything for the student. The teacher should be trained in teaching voter education,” said Jimenez.