MANILA, Philippines?The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urging celebrities and media personalities to help in educating Filipino voters on the automated polls.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said celebrities could greatly help the poll body in disseminating the needed information on how to cast their votes under an automated system.

Movie and television stars could appear in instructional advertisements on how to fill up ballots and how to ensure their votes will not be voided, he said.

The poll body is set to begin its nationwide information drive in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency and media outfits.

Larrazabal said anyone in the showbiz world is welcome to help the Comelec fulfill its mandate.

?We welcome everyone who would be willing to help us in our voters' education endeavor. If they have questions on how to help, we could arrange a meeting with them,? he said.

?As for celebrity endorsers, we believe they have drawing power and Comelec would be very open to work with them,? said Larrazabal.

The poll official added that Comelec would draft guidelines on tapping celebrities for voters' education as well as the tax credit system media outfits carrying Comelec infomercials can avail.