No Second Chance For Mistakes in May Polls

Voters told: Sorry, no second chance for mistakes in May polls
CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMANews.TV

People who commit mistakes deserve a second chance. But not those who will err in casting their votes in the May elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is advising voters to make their lists and check them twice before going to the polling

precincts because there will be no spare ballots for erring voters.

"Ngayon pa lang ay sinasabi na natin, dapat magdala sila ng kodigo. Makakatulong po ng malaki sa kanila kung may kogido sila para

pagdating ng botohan… ifi-fill out na lang ang balota," explained the poll body’s spokesman James Jimenez, director of the

Comelec’s Education and Information Department, in a recent interview with media.

(We are advising the voters to prepare a list of their candidates. The list will help them easily fill out the ballots.)

Starting February 7, the National Printing Office will be printing about 50 million ballots equivalent only to the total number of

registered voters for the May polls. The printing is expected to be completed within 60 to 70 days.

Like the ‘touch-move’ in chess

Jimenez has likened the use of the ballot to the “touch-move" rule in chess: once a player touches the piece, he or she ought to move

it.

"Talagang mula't mula po ang sinasabi natin, touch-move po tayo dito. Isang balota lang sa bawa't isang botante," said Jimenez.

(We’ve been saying since the start that this is touch-move. There will only be one ballot per voter.)

The Comelec’s one ballot per voter policy is being questioned by some poll watchdogs. The groups claim that many voters are

expected to commit mistakes due to their low awareness on the new automated system that will be used in the May polls.

Comelec illustrates how the voting process will be completed in the May elections.
A survey conducted by Pulse Asia from Oct. 22 to 30, 2009 released to the public last December showed that about six of 10

Filipinos had little or no knowledge about the automated polls.

Error, fraud-free system

Election lawyer Luie Guia of the non-government Lawyers’ League for Liberty is among those who believe that some votes will go to

waste because majority of Filipinos are unfamiliar with the new ballots.

Guia suggests that the Comelec print extra ballots.

"Sa atin first time mangyayari ito. sasabihin na lang ba natin na malas na lang ‘yung mga magkakamali? Baka naman p’wedeng

mag-allow ng konting provision for replacing the ballots for legitimate errors or mistakes committed by voters," he told

GMANews.TV in a recent interview.

(We are doing this for the first time. Are we going to say that those who will commit mistakes in voting are just unfortunate? Maybe it

is possible to allow some provisions for replacing the ballots for legitimate errors or mistakes committed by voters.)

Other groups, meanwhile, are not only concerned about the problem on voter awareness. They claim that the new voting system itself

is a cause for alarm because until now, less than 100 days before the polls, the Comelec could still not ensure that the new system will

be both error and fraud-free.

“The justification of the computerized system is that it will eliminate cheating. They claim to have safeguards in place, like the ballots

supposedly having barcodes specific to each voter. So, saying that they will not print extra ballots does not make sense," lawyer

Romel Regalado Bagares of the Automated Election Watch told GMANews.TV in another recent interview.

Having independent IT experts review the software that will be used in the May polls could be a way to ensure that the system is

shielded from software bugs or vote manipulation attempts, according to Dante Marmol, head of the digital resources bureau of the

Computer Professionals’ Union (CPU).

“Dapat makita ng public ‘yung mismong source code (The public should see the source code). But what will be opened for review is

just the review of the source code by the licensed firm and not the source code itself," Marmol told GMANews.TV in a phone

interview on Monday.

The Comelec earlier said it would have a walk-through this month with groups interested to look into the source code review by

international software testing company SysTest Labs.

SysTest was selected by the Comelec to review and certify the source code of the automated election system that will be used in

May.

Consistent cheating?

The CPU earlier explained that unlike in manual polls wherein cheating is inconsistent and limited by geographical factors, tampering

of votes in the automated polls could be made consistent and widespread if there would be direct manipulation of data through

computer programming.

In the automated polls, insiders could overwrite the consolidated data and produce results favorable to certain candidates, according

to the CPU.

Marmol also expressed alarm over the glitches in ballot-reading and transmission of election results encountered by the Comelec

during the second field test of automated voting machines last Friday.

“Hindi binasa ng makina ang apat sa sampung balota. Malaki ang percentage ng error. Ibig sabihin malaki din ang problema," said

Marmol.

(The machine did not read four of the 10 ballots. The percentage of error was big. That means the problem is also big.)

He said the PCOS machines that would be used in the May polls should undergo a series of “rigorous tests" to ensure their reliability.

“Hindi ‘yung ilang test lang... Dapat tine-test mo siya ng pauliut-ulit, ng magdamag, ng 24 hours. Kumbaga sa road test ng sasakyan,

dapat malayuan," said Marmol.

(The machines should not just be tested for a few times. It should be repeatedly tested, overnight or for 24 hours. It should be like a

car undergoing a long road test.)

Identify the dead spots

The CPU likewise expressed concern on the failure of the three brands of SIM cards used by the Comelec to transmit data during

Friday’s field test.

Marmol said the Comelec should be able to present to the public a mapping of areas that have good cellphone signals as well as

places where signals go haywire or the so-called dead spots.

“The public should be informed about the dead spots and what the Comelec will do to address problems in the transmission of

election results from these places," he said.
--- so that's how it is!

no second chance for mistakes in May polls

Philippines 2010 Elections: HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THE BALLOT

HOW TO ACCOMPLISH THE BALLOT

1. The voter shall, using a ballot secrecy folder and the marking pen provided by the Comelec, fill his ballot by fullv shadinq the oval beside the names of the candidates and political party participating in the party list system of representation of his choice.

2. The voter shall then approach the PC0S;insert his ballot in the ballot entry slot and wait until the ballot is dropped into the ballot box.

The BEI shall monitor the PCOS screen to make sure that the ballot was successfully accepted.

Thereafter, the voter shall return the ballot secrecy folder and marking pen to the chairman.

3. The chairman shall apply indelible ink at the base and extending to the cuticle of the right forefinger nail of the voter, or any other nail if there be no forefinger nail.

4. The voter shall affix his thumbmark on the corresponding space in the election day computerized voters list or EDCVL.

5. The voter shall then leave the polling place.

Source: Section 35 of Comelec Resolution No. 8739


---pretty easy right? :)

2010 Philippine Elections List:Comelec adds Two Presidential Bets

From eight, there are now officially ten presidential candidates in the May 10, 2010 polls after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reconsidered and accepted the certificates of candidacy of independent candidate Nicanor Perlas and Vetallano Acosta of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.

The two were not in the initial list of eight presidential candidates released by the poll body last December 15.

The poll body also increased the number of senatorial candidates from 58 to 62 with the addition of Danilo Lim (Liberal Party), Emilio Mario Osmena (Abag Promdi), Nannette Espinosa (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) and Adz Nikabulin (Bangon Pilipinas).

The Comelec en banc in its Resolution No. 8743 explained why it granted the motions for reconsideration of Perlas and Acosta.

In the case of Perlas, the Comelec cited his plan to wage a campaign via the internet and his international stature as an environmentalist and anti-corruption advocate.

“The filing of a Certificate of Candidacy of a person with a distinguished track record in public service who has received numerous recognitions for his work both here and abroad cannot be said to have put the election process in mockery,” the Comelec said.

“From the research made by (Perlas), internet users in the country amount to almost 24 million and his strong, credible presence could be felt in the internet through his numerous websites,” it furthered.

Acosta, on the other hand, was allowed to run mainly due to the recognition of his party, the KBL, which the Comelec had allowed to field candidates for vice president and senators. The party was founded by the late President Ferdinand Marcos during the martial law years.

“If the COCs of KBL’s nominees for vice president and senators were given due course, there is no reason why the commission should deny due course to Mr. Acosta’s COC,” the poll body stated.

Perlas viewed the Comelec decision as a blessing in disguise.

“I think it was able to clarify to the Filipino people what real politics is. It is not anymore about politics of money. This is about having vision and hope,” he said minutes after the Comelec promulgated its decision.

Perlas and Acosta thus joined Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party), John Carlos Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Joseph “Erap” Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), Richard Gordon (Bagong Bayan), Sen. Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal (independent), Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar (Nacionalista Party), and Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas Party) as presidential candidates.

Candidates for vice president, however, remained at eight.

The Comelec is expected to release the list for party list groups this Friday.


-----------------pwede pa palang humabol... ---anneski

2010 Philippine Elections List:Comelec adds Two Presidential Bets

Comelec Update: 'Poll machines may be delivered ahead of schedule'

(UPDATE) 'Poll machines may be delivered ahead of schedule'

MANILA, Philippines - A Commission

on Elections (Comelec) official on

Wednesday predicted that the 82,000

counting machines may be delivered

way ahead of schedule as he doused

fears that the counting machines will

not be delivered on time, delaying the

May 2010 automated elections.

Lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan, Comelec's

legal division chief, said the

Smartmatic-TIM's promise to deliver a

total of 42,000 units of Precinct Count

Optical Scan (PCOS) by December 31

may not materialize because its

subcontractor in Shanghai, China has

managed to make only one assembly

line operational.

Rafanan said the Shanghai-based

manufacturing firm started assembling

the counting machines only on

December 4.

He said one assembly line can produce

500 units a day, which makes it

impossible for the Shanghai

manufacturing firm to complete the

42,000 requirement by the end of the

month.

He, however, predicted that the total

requirement of 82,000 units may be

completed and delivered to the

Philippines even before February 28

schedule, with the Smartmatic-TIM's

assurance that the manufacturing firm in

Shanghai will be able to make 4 more

assembly lines fully operational by

January.

"If the five assembly lines will be fully

operational by January, in just one

month or less, with 9,000 to be

delivered today (Wednesday), all of the

82,000 machines will be [manufactured]

this January. It may be delivered ahead

of schedule," Rafanan told radio

dzMM.

An ABS-CBN News report, however,

said that only 4,000 units of PCOS

were delivered at the Comelec office in

Intramuros, Manila on Wednesday

morning.

The machines have been transported to

the Smartmatic warehouse in Cabuyao,

Laguna, where the machines will be

subjected to a series of tests.

The Comelec added that some 3,200

machines have also been brought to the

Bureau of Customs office in Manila

and was set for release next week.

Earlier reports said 9,800 would be

delivered this month, and another

20,200 units after the holiday rush.

Teachers, who will be assisting voters

in using the automated poll machines,

have expressed fears that there might

not be enough time for the Comelec to

educate them on how to use the

machines because of the delayed

delivery.

Rafanan said teachers need not worry

because they will be spending only

10% of their time using the machine

during the elections. He said the

Comelec will also assign trained

technicians to each voting precinct to

assist teachers on election day.

Aside from the teachers' education,

schedules for field testings and mock

elections that were supposed to have

started in November have been delayed

because of the delivery problem of the

voting machines.

Poll officials have also yet to be trained

by Smartmatic-TIM people on how to

use the voting machines.
---- sounds promising! -anneski-

(UPDATE) 'Poll machines may be delivered ahead of schedule'

SEXBOMB GIRLS in 'BILOG NA HUGIS ITLOG' Music Video for the 2010 AUTOMATED ELECTION by GMA7

I would say that this a very creative way of explaining the said automated 2010 elections. Thanks to GMA 7 for the very educating mtv.

Watch it in youTube : GMA 7's Election Campaign

Candidate Profile: Joseph Ejercito Estrada

Joseph Ejercito Estrada



Born: April 19, 1937
Position in History: Philippines: 13th President, Fifth Republic: 3rd President
Term: June 30, 1998 - January 20, 2001
Duration of Term: 935 days

Joseph Estrada was born in Tondo, Manila on April 19, 1937. His parents moved to San Juan where he grew up. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila University. He decided to follow his father's footsteps and took up engineering at the Mapua Institute of Technology. During his third year at Mapua, Estrada left his studies to try the movies. His displeased parents forbid him to use their family name so he adopted the name Estrada, which is Spanish for street. He was also known more commonly by his nickname, Erap which is the reverse spelling of pare or friend.
Estrada was very successful in his career as a movie star. He was the leading role in 107 hundred movies and produced more than 70 of his own, for which he later won various awards for. Despite the lack of an established political party, Estrada ran for mayor of San Juan in the 1969 local elections. As mayor, he established new schools, health centres, the installation of artesian wells and other projects generally beneficial to the municipality. In 1972, Estrada was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in Public Administration, Most Outstanding Mayor and Foremost Nationalist and Most Outstanding Metro Manila Mayor. He was San Juan mayor for 16 years. Estrada was removed from office soon after the 1986 EDSA Revolution as part of the government reorganisation.
In 1987, Estrada became a senator. He sponsored three bills during his term and opposed the renewal of the US Military Base Agreement, which Estrada explained was because he wanted the Philippines to reclaim full sovereignty. He was named Outstanding Senator by the Philippine Free Press on January 14, 1989. Estrada ran for position of vice-president in the 1992 elections and won. Despite being in a different political party from President Ramos, Estrada was appointed as the head of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission, a newly created government organisation with the prime objective of dissolving organised crime.
Joseph Ejercito Estrada was elected to the position of president in the 1998 elections. It is believed his popularity as an actor contributed to his victory in the presidential elections. Early October 2000, provincial governor Luis "Chavit" Singson revealed Estrada's involvement in various illegal activities and pocketing vast sums of money from illegal gambling protection money as well as skimming from tobacco taxes. After voting on the matter, the Senate decided to begin impeachment proceedings and Estrada was charged with bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of the public trust and violation of the constitution. As a result of the proceedings, the Philippine economy began to suffer and the Philippine peso suffered devaluation.
Throughout the impeachment trial, it was alleged Estrada had the money held in several bank accounts under the alias Jose Velarde. The impeachment trial collapsed on January 15, 2001, after the trial's Senate judges barred the inspection of Estrada's bank accounts. The prosecution resigned causing a partial collapse of the government. The EDSA II Revolution was the outcome and five days of protesting on the streets followed while protestors demanded Estrada resign. On January 19, 2001, Estrada announced he was stepping aside as president.
----- I guess we all know the story of Erap, now he is running again as a President. ---anne

ERAP

2010 Philippine Elections List of Senatorial Candidates

Among the hundreds who applied for a senatorial seat, here's the list of the 58 senatorial candidates who made it:



1. Acosta, Jr. Nereus O. (LP)


2. Albani, Shariff Ibrahim H. (KBL)


3. Alonto, Zafrullah M. (Bangon Pilipinas)


4. Baraquel, Ana. Theresa H. (LP)


5. Bautista, J.V. Larion (PMP)


6. Bautista, Martin D. (LP)


7. Bello, Silvestre III H. (Lakas)


8. Biazon, Rozanno Rufino B. (LP)


9. Revilla, Ramon “Bong" B. (Lakas)


10. Caunan, Henry B. (PDP-Laban)


11. Cayetano, Pilar Juliana US. (NP)


12. David, Rizalito Y. (Ang Kapatiran)


13. De Venecia, Jose III P. (PMP)


14. Defensor-Santiago, Miriam P.(People’s Reform Party)


15. Drilon, Franklin M. (LP)


16. Enrile, Juan Ponce (PMP)


17. Estrada, Jinggoy E. (PMP)


18. Guico, Ramon, Jr. N. (Lakas)


19. Guingona, Teofisto III D. (LP)


20. Imbong, Jo Aurea M. (Ang Kapatiran)


21. Inocencio, Ma. Katherine Luningning R. (Bangon Pilipinas)


22. Lacson, Alexander L. (LP)


23. Lambino, Raul L. (Lakas)


24. Langit, Rey M. (Lakas)


25. Lao, Yasmin B. (LP)


26. Lapid, Manuel M. (Lakas)


27. Lood, Alma A. (KBL)


28. Lozada, Jose Apolinario Jr. L (PMP)


29. Maambong, Regalado E. (KBL)


30. Marcos, Ferdinand Jr. R. (NP)


31. Maza, Liza L. (Independent)


32. Millora, Ma. Judea G. (KBL)


33. Mitra, Ramon B. (NP)


34. Ocampo, Ramoncito P. (Bangong Pilipinas)


35. Ocampo, Saturnino C. (Bayan Muna)


36. Ople, Susan V. (NP)


37. Osmeña, Sergio III D. (Independent)


38. Palparan, Jovito Jr. S. (Independent)


39. Papin, Imelda A. (KBL)


40. Paredes, Zosimo Jesus II M. (Ang Kapatiran)


41. Pimentel, Gwendolyn D. (PDP-Laban)


42. Plaza, Rodolfo Rodrigo G. (NPC)


43. Princesa, Reynaldo R. (Bangon Pilipinas)


44. Querubin, Ariel O. (NP)


45. Recto, Ralph G. (LP)


46. Remulla, Gilbert Cesar C. (NP)


47. 4Riñoza-Plazo, Maria Gracia DV. (Ang Kapatiran)


48. Roco, Sonia M. (LP)


49. Sison, Adrian O. (Ang Kapatiran)


50. Sotto, Vicente III C. (NPC)


51. Tamano, Adel A. (NP)


52. Tamayo, Reginald B. (Ang Kapatiran)


53. Tarrazona, Hector M. (Ang Kapatiran)


54. Tatad, Francisco S. (Grand Alliance for Democracy)


55. Tinsay, Alexander B. (Bangon Pilipinas))


56. Valdehuesa, Manuel Jr. E. (Ang Kapatiran)


57. Villanueva, Hector L. (KBL)


58. Virgines, Israel N. (Bangon Pilipinas)


----------- I can count with my fingers the names that I know, I hope with the limited time before the elections, we'll know all our candidates. ^^

2010 Philippine Elections List of Vice Presidential Candidates

There are also 8 Vice Presidential Candidates.

List of approved Vice Presidential Candidates:


1. Binay, Jejomar C. (PDP-Laban)


2. Chipeco, Dominador “Jun" Jr. F. (Ang Kapatiran)


3. Fernando, Bayani F. (Bagumbayan)


4. Legarda, Loren B. (National People’s Coalition)


5. Manzano, Edu B. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)


6. Roxas, Manuel “Mar" II A. (Liberal Party)


7. Sonza, Jose “Jay" Y. (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan)


8. Yasay, Perfecto Jr. R. (Bangon Pilipinas)


-----very interesting mix of candidates.

2010 Philippine Elections List of Presidential Candidates

Finally the Commission on Elections (Comelec) released the names of the qualified candidates for the National Elections on May 2010.
For Presidency, out of the 99 aspiring candidates only 8 made it.
Here's the list:

1. Aquino, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" III (Liberal Party)

2. Delos Reyes, John Carlos “JC" (Ang Kapatiran)

3. Ejercito Estrada, Joseph M. (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO)

4. Gordon, Richard J. (Bagumbayan)

5. Madrigal, Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby" AS. (Independent)

6. Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. C. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)

7. Villanueva, Eddie C. (Bangon Pilipinas)

8. Villar, Manuel Jr. B. (Nacionalista Party)

Candidate Profile: JC de los Reyes

JC de los Reyes



Born February 14, 1970, married to Dunia Valenzuela with three children, Gabriel 10, Santiago 7 and Barbara 5.

He studied in Ateneo de Manila for his elementary education, and graduated in De la Salle for high school. He finished his B.A. in Theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, reputed to be one of the most orthodox Catholic Universities in America. Late 1993 he taught Philosophy in the then Center for Research and Communication, now the University of Asia and the Pacific and was under the tutelage of Fr. Joseph de Torre, a Spanish priest of the Holy Cross who wrote extensively on the social teachings of the Church. In 1995, he ran and was elected City Councilor of Olongapo.

During his term, he focused on the poor, the youth and cooperatives. In 1999 he finished his post-graduate studies in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines and proceeded to study law in Saint Louis University, Baguio City, finishing his degree in 2005.

The organizations he helped propagate as an active member since 1995 was the National Renewal Movement and the Ang Kapatiran National Political Party or the Alliance for the Common Good, a registered political party that seeks to promote the politics of genuine social concern. Presently, he is national animator of Solidarity Philippines, a movement to pro-actively advance the Social Justice Agenda of the Church and Executive-director of Breaking the Yoke of Poverty Foundation whose project is Jubillee homes for the Poor, a housing project for 60 families.

In the 2007 elections, among 27 local and national candidates, he was the lone winner of Ang Kapatiran Party, placing second among ten slots for the Olongapo City Council. This was achieved despite a decade absent from local politics.

His free legal assistance program under an informal project named JUSTICE CRUSADE has been widely successful among his constituents. He is presently prioritizing the institutionalization of the Barangay Human Rights Action Centers, the office mandated by law for the protection and prevention of human rights violations in the barangay.

Councilor JC has spoken out and campaigned against illegal drugs, rampant violations of worker’s rights at Hanjin, Subic Bay and has campaigned against illegal fish cages in the area. He has also led protests against the proposed coal power plant and has been outspoken in criticizing government’s plan to open more casinos in Subic.

The boldest statement he has made for good governance is the filing of numerous cases before the Ombudsman against high ranking government officials where he himself is complainant. This is in line with his political policy of alleviating the people’s suffering by addressing the problem of expensive and increasing costs of basic needs like water, electricity, medicines, health care, etc., and insuring that these basic services are kept free and far from graft and corruption.

His passion and vision is to unceasingly work to fight and defeat massive, enslaving poverty, a mission to be accomplished not only in Olongapo but in the whole country.
------------ I think he has a good MVP (Mission, Vission, Passion. ----anneski

JC de los Reyes

Candidate Profile: Benigno Noynoy Aquino III

Noynoy Aquino III

It is in his bloodline. It is his heritage. For him, democracy restored must be enshrined without fear but with greatest fervor.

It is second nature to Senator Benigno “Noynoy” S. Aquino III to be both a fiscalizer, who relentlessly espouse public accountability, and a staunch advocate of liberal democracy.

His key legislative initiatives are anchored on the protection of human rights and good governance through increased transparency and public accountability. These are founded on the democratic ideals championed by his parents, former Senator and martyr Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. and former President Corazon Aquino.

A true working democracy, he says, makes possible not only political freedoms but a better life for all Filipinos. It must be able to provide jobs, education, social services and equitable economic prosperity for everyone, not just the rich, privileged few.

The defense of democracy nearly cost Senator Aquino his life. He was almost killed during the military coup against President Aquino in 1990 when he met retreating rogue soldiers at the front gates of Malacañang. Three of his bodyguards died while he suffered five bullet wounds. A bullet is still embedded in his neck.


Senator Aquino served as Congressman of the 2nd District of Tarlac from 1998 to 2007. In 2004, he was stripped of his prestigious post as Deputy House Speaker for Luzon after he joined leaders of the Liberal Party (LP) in calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the height of the “Hello Garci” scandal.

In May 2007, he ran for Senator and won, placing 6th in the national elections.

As Senator in the 14th Congress, he chairs the Senate Committee on Local Government.

In the LP, Senator Aquino held various positions such as Secretary General and Vice Chairman. He is now the party’s official standard bearer for the 2010 Presidential election with Mar Roxas as his running mate.

Noynoy is a graduate of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University. He fancies Chinese food and is a shooting and billiards enthusiast. -------------------Nice to know more about Noynoy. ---anne

Noynoy Aquino III

The 2010 Presidentiables

Wow! Would you know that there are almost 50 presidentiables for the upcoming 2010 elections? Well I don't know all of them but here is a list of those I'm sure would be running. I also watched some of them in Abs-cbn's Harapan.

1. former President Joseph Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)
2. Gilbert Teodoro of Lakas-Kampi-CMD
3. Sen. Manual Villar of the Nationalista Party (NP)
4. Sen. Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party (LP)
5. Ely Pamatong
6. Dick Gordon
7. Councilor Jc De los Reyes
8. Eddie Villanueva
9. Nicanor Perlas

I guess with a lot of choices we just have to be wise!
Our country needs a change!

---anne

Philippines 2010 Elections, Electronic Voting or Computer Voting

Philippines 2010 Elections, Electronic Voting or Computer Voting 

 

 The Presidential elections, legislative elections and local elections in the Philippines are scheduled to be held on May 10, 2010. Yes, it would be the second time that I'll be voting, yehey. The elected president will become the 15th President of the Philippines, succeeding President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is barred from seeking re-election due to term restrictions. If current Vice-President Noli de Castro should not retake office, his successor will be the 15th Vice President of the Philippines. The legislators elected in the 2010 elections will join the senators of the 2007 elections and will comprise the 15th Congress of the Philippines.
The 2010 election will be administered by the Commission on Elections in compliance with the Republic Act No.9369,[1] also known as Amended Computerization Act of 2007. It will be the first national computerized election in the history of the Philippines. Local elections are also to be held in all provinces, cities and municipalities.
But wait did I mentioned that it would be the first national computerized election in the Philippines? Yes it is! I checked the comelec website and it says that the upcoming elections will be computerized because of the said Amended Computerization
Act of 2007. I'm actually excited of the new process but like many of us registered voters we don't exactly know what's going to happen. I remember the first time I voted in 2004 where I was given a voting ballot to write down my chosen candidates and now it's already computerized! That's what I call sign of the times in this computer age. Am I right?

Also now I'm a bit confused by the term computer voting and electronic voting. In the States and in other countries we always hear electronic voting and personally I'm amazed by the system. So I did some research to see what is electronic voting in lay man's term. According to what I read electronic voting system like the one in the US will allow voters and elections auditors to go online and verify whether votes have been correctly recorded. It uses cryptographic techniques to let both voters and election auditors check whether votes have been cast and counted accurately. That sounds good. To cast a vote, an individual takes a paper ballot and fills in the optical-scan oval next to the name of the selected candidate using a pen with a special type of ink. When the bubble is filled, it reveals a three-digit confirmation number already printed on the ballot using an invisible marker. This is a super technology I must say. That three-digit code is a sort of randomly generated cryptographic marker that's used to associate the voter's choice with the appropriate candidate. The codes are separately randomized for each oval and for each ballot, ensuring that the codes don't reveal who an individual voted for. Voters can use that confirmation code to later log into the city's election Web site to confirm that their votes were recorded accurately. If the code is present on the Web site, it means the ballot was counted correctly. Wow isn't that cool? Okay now back to the Philippines. For us Pinoys, the Comelec has contracted with the Dutch company Smartmatic and its local partner Total Information Management, Inc. (TIM) on July 10, for the supply of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines. The PCOS are a form of Optical Mark Reader (OMR) machines that function by reading and counting the markings made by voters on the ballots after the same are fed to the machines. Ahhhh. Under an automated system voters will no longer have to write the names of candidates. The voting is done by either darkening the ovals, completing broken arrows, or making any authorized mark opposite the names of candidates for a particular position. At the end of voting in every precinct, the results are electronically transmitted to a central counting center (which could be a city/municipality or province) for consolidation and proclamation of the winners. Results are expected to come out in less than a week.This clearly shortens the multi-layered process in a manual election system like poll watching here and there I think and of course the possible fraud or 'pandaraya'. Oh I guess computer voting won't give us that code to be able
to check our votes online. Oh well. I think this is a good development in our voting system, hope it works! I'm quite excited to vote already. ---anne



comelec

www.computerworld.com