Philippines’ First Automated Elections Still Disputed
There is still heated debate in the efficiency and credibility of the automated polls, a first attempt in Philippine national and local elections.
With only days to go before May 10, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Smartmatic-TIM (Total Information Management) are questioned after the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines failed to recognize votes for local candidates, or if read, the votes were not right during the pretesting. The challenge for the Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM is to change the configuration of the compact flash cards in 82,000 voting machines and transport them safe and sound without compromising the day of election, Malaya reports.
The errors occurred because the built-in memory cards followed a wrong configuration which led to wrong commands. It is linked with the changing orientation of the ballot. For instance, marks were recognized for names listed in first rows written in single space but the machine missed those separated in double-space. Another explanation is the sample ballot for the mock elections is made of thin paper unlike the real ballot.
Comelec has committed to make automation possible for millions of Filipino voters even after errors in pretesting. Machines supposed to be delivered were called off immediately. Smartmatic-Asia president Cesar Flores takes responsibility and said it is a problem which can be easily remedied. They are updated memory cards being reproduced and tested as replacements. The question is will they make it on time. It is possible there will still be delivery of machines on May 10 to some areas which will delay the time for election. Comelec is only 30% ready in case votes will be counted manually. The rest is still to be deliberated.
Concerned citizens voiced out their sentiments and worries for the elections. Had the testing been done earlier and there was no delay in the arrival of machines, these errors may have been solved. Doubt lingers that failure of election is possible and some insist on manual voting instead to keep the election untainted of any fraud. A suggestion is to administer a parallel manual count and not solely rely on the machines. There is also speculation the failure of pretesting is a tactic of the Arroyo administration to stay in power. These views and others more about the coming election are telling of the importance of this historical event for Filipinos.
Others remain hopeful and positive that this is a leap forward in Philippine electoral system that should be given a chance. Glitches are inevitable since it is the first time the country will exercise automation. What can be a better take on the matter is the effort to shift from the traditional system to a computerized election that is easier and more convenient. It cannot be disregarded in this Christian dominated country that prayers may change everything.
Final testing and sealing of the machines is scheduled on May 7, a crucial moment for the accountability of Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM. What will happen on this date may settle election dispute.
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