THE Commission on Election (Comelec), together with Smartmatic-TM representatives, held a Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) public demo Tuesday before a huge crowd at SM Bacolod.

Comelec spokesperson James Arthur Jimenez said Tuesday “with automation, counting will be cut down to less than 10 minutes and results will be made available in 49 hours; it makes everything faster.”

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He noted that since the system makes everything fast, “there would be no time to cheat” and voters are assured of the fast result of the elections, adding that counting of ballots would be done in 15 seconds. “We could do a Namfrel; we’ll be able to do quick counts, which mean that results will be out quicker also. All of the results will be available in 48 hours; within 48 hours, everyone would know who would be the next president of the country.”

Jimenez said erasures in the voting ballot are not allowed, noting that Comelec would use ink instead of pencil which could not be erased. He added it would also be hard for hackers to sabotage the machines.

He said a possible problem that could be encountered during election day is the availability of voters using the ballot, claiming that before giving the ballot to a voter, the teacher on duty would first give instructions on how to use the machine. In respective precincts, signs or instructions would also be posted. 

 Jimenez said there would be more than 80,000 counting machines that would be made available three days before elections. He emphasized that the best assurance in an automated election “is the transparency of the system. The system is very easy to back check.”

He added Comelec also has reserve batteries in case of power shortage. The battery could last for almost 16 hours.   

Several local government unit representatives, teachers, civil society and mall goers attended the public demo.

Lawyer Jessie Suarez said the public demo received an enthusiastic response from Negrenses.

He said the machines to be used during the actual elections will be tested and sealed three days before the polls.

He added that teachers manning the machines will have support staff and one certified Smartmatic computer technician.

Suarez, in the meantime, said the deadline for voters’ registration would be until midnight of October 31. Comelec is also open 8AM to 9PM for those last-minute registrants.(Merlinda A. Pedrosa)
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