Participants in OMR machines source code review may apply until Sept. 30

Groups and parties interested in reviewing the source codes of the 93,977 optical mark reader (OMR) machines have until Sept. 30 to file their request, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

The Comelec said the parties and groups must file a written request with the agency’s Steering Committee, signifying their intent to participate in the source code review.

The parties or groups must belong to political parties or coalition of parties registered by the Comelec or legitimate organizations or groups accredited by the poll body.

These accredited groups or citizens’ arms include two information technology (IT) groups recommended by the Comelec Advisory Council, which are known for their expertise, integrity and independence in the IT community, or host educational institution.

Covered by the review are the source codes of the Vote Counting Machine (VCM), the Consolidated Canvassing System (CCS) and the Election Management System (EMS).

“The source code review involves two phases. The first covers the review of the baseline source codes and the second the review of the source codes after the systems have been customized and configured according to the preference and needs of the Commission,” the resolution said.

Section 12 of Republic Act 9369 provides that once an Automated Election System Technology is selected for implementation, the Comelec shall “promptly make the source codes available and open to any interested party or group which may conduct their own review thereof.”

The Comelec is expecting that the source code review by any interested party will enhance public acceptance and build public confidence in the automated election system.

The source code pertains to the alphanumeric instruction that dictates how the OMR machines should run.