Comelec holds nationwide mock election
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold a nationwide one-day mock election tomorrow ( February 13) to identify possible problems in the automated system.
A total of 25,609 registered voters from 20 cities and municipalities will be given the chance to test the new vote counting machines (VCMs) as part I of its preparation for the May 9 elections.
"The objective of the mock elections is to test and ensure the adequate security, accuracy, system and functional capability and integrity of the vote counting machines ( VCM), transmission devices, and consolidation and canvassing system (CCS)," Comelec said in a statement.
The poll body will conduct the mock polls in the following areas: Barangays Tuktukan and Western Bicutan in Taguig City; Barangays Poblacion and Aguho in Pateros; Barangays Bagong Pag-asa and San Isidro Labrador in Quezon City; Barangays 669 and 649 in Manila; Barangays Poblacion Oeste and Pugaro in Dagupan City; Barangays Poblacion and Linmansangan in Alaminos; Barangays Centro 1 (Poblacion) and Nambalan Norte in Tuguegarao City; Barangays Centro 1 (Poblacion) and Paddaya in Aparri; Barangays Poblacion and Osiao in Sorsogon City; and Barangays Camcaman (Pob) and Calintaan in Matnog; Barangays Poblacion and Linabuan in Kalibo; Barangays Poblacion and Balabag in Malay; Barangays Mabolo and Lusaran in Cebu City; Barangays Poblacion and Cabutongan in Santander; Barangays Central (Pob) and Sinaman in Dipolog City; Barangays Poblacion and Tinaplan in Sindangan; Barangays Dadiangas East and San Jose in General Santos City; Barangays Libertad and Canahay (Godwino) in Surallah; Barangays San Raymundo and Tulay in Jolo; and Barangays Malinis and Parangbasak in Lamitan City.
Each poll site will have 300 to 700 participants.
Aside from identifying problems, the exercise aims to build public confidence in the automated election system (AES).
Some quarters have expressed concern over the credibility of the AES and the capability of Comelec to handle these cases after it revealed glitches in the source code for its VCM and CCS.
Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista earlier assured the public they will be able to address these technical issues before the 2016 elections.
Scary During a press briefing in San Fernando City, La Union, vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr expressed his concern over software problems of the vote counting machines (VCMs) after one to two percent of the ballots were rejected by VCMs during a verification test conducted by Comelec.
“Yes it does, it trouble me (the glitches),” said Marcos that in every time the Comelec prepares for election, it will not run efficiently. “All of us will be worried that this could be just a simple problem but it scares us,” Marcos added.
The problem in the source code is the root of all problems through the canvassing and transmittal of election results, Marcos said.
With 50 million ballots to be printed for the May polls, the rejection rate would be between 500,000 to 1 million ballots, according to Mike Santos of international certifier SLI Global Solutions.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the rejection of ballots was due to “splatters” from the ink jet printers being used.
Marcos said because of the glitches, they will now strictly monitor the system being done by Comelec and the potential abuse in election results.
“Every time there is problem, of course we are studying it. That’s something we would continue to monitor and make sure that everything is okay. Even the possible delay (of transmittal in election results),” Marcos said.
However, the only son of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos is confident the Comelec is not the one doing the glitches because these are just ‘logistical problems’ that can be fixed.
“I think the Comelec is trying very hard to make everything okay,” Marcos said who held his campaign sorties here and in the towns of San Juan, Naguilian and Agoo.
He still hopes the result of the elections would be credible.