An election debacle

As 2016 election draws near and because of the introduction of the Automated Election System (AES) which was used in the 2010 and 2013 elections, issues of discontent and questionable practices continue to be raised on the accuracy and fair use of the PCOS machines supplied by Smartmatic. This is viewed by many as going against the constitutional directive of fair and honest election.

As we all know, Comelec briefs and updates Congress on their planned operations and protocols for the coming elections through the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC). It is also through the JCOC that citizens, with their represented monitoring groups, have vented out matters regarding issues and questionable practices in the operation of the AES machines. As I recall, there is a history of issues and complaints dating back from the formation of JCOC after the 2010 elections. Unfortunately, most of the issues have never been properly resolved (or addressed) effectively leaving doubts to the credibility of Comelec in satisfying their mandated function as directed by the Constitution. Of course, we all know that since the time of Chairman Abalos, there have been questions raised on anomalous practices in the agency.

In the JCOC Senate Hearing last Wednesday, February 17, 2016, it became obvious that the system used in 2010 and 2013 elections are now all obsolete as they presented the new Vote Counting Machines (VCM). They demonstrated these machines last month before poll advocacy groups and the media. The VCM has a new designed hardware and software operating system. This is possibly the reason why last year the name used was Optical Mark Reader (OMR) and now it was changed to Vote Counting Machines (VCM). Isn’t Smartmatic still using the OMR technology as the scanning device? Anyway what’s in a name? Too much of this technological jargon confuses the people more.

The point of concern is the talk last year on refurbishing old PCOS machines. Now we realize that it was truly not feasible as it would have to be replaced internally with new electronic boards and other components required. If you ask me, the bidding process for the refurbishment of the machines seems to have been intended as a deception because clearly it did not happen. Was this why we did not see nor hear of any other bidder? Was the information given on refurbishing the machines vague for other bidders to understand? I’m perplexed!

The VCM is a new system. It has not been used by any group or country. In other words, this system has not been tested nor proven safe and secure for a national election. The same goes for the software operating system which is still undergoing validation and testing not to mention issues easily popping up like popcorn. In fact, the Denver-based SLI Global Solutions Inc., an international company tapped by Comelec to certify the source codes of the election management system (EMS), CCS reportedly detected problems.

By the way, indicators show that the SLI is being paid around P35M just for checking the source codes (and other service review) which some IT experts believe is way too much. Why can’t we use our local IT professionals?

Sanamagan! There goes our tax money. Do you remember that in September 2015, Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon questioned this new lease deal brokered by the Comelec with Smartmatic-Total Information Management (TIM) Corporation? He said that, “We believe that there are certain irregularities in the multi-billion lease deal (P15.5 billion budget) that Comelec has to explain.” Ridon also stated that the OMR (VCM) machines that Smartmatic will supply to Comelec are completely new and as such may not be compliant with RA 9369, particularly Section 10, which states that “…the system procured must have demonstrated capability and been successfully used in a prior electoral exercise here or abroad” (Tribune). And then he added, “We note in particular that the software for the new OMR machines is newly-developed and has not yet been subjected to rigorous public testing.”

Now let’s check their calculations or estimating abilities. The first 23,000 units cost P56,000 each. As the volume increases to 70,900 units for the next order, the price increased to P68,000 each (there is a P12,000 increase, 3-times the volume of the purchase). In a normal deal the bigger the volume the lower the price.

Now think of the size of the unit in order to assess the value of the manufacturing cost. Let us try to compare it with a multi-purpose printer by Canon with high photo quality inkjet printer, high-resolution scanner, fax, photocopier all in one. Yes, Canon printers are much larger in size but the technical design and component is as intense in functionality to that of the VCM of Smartmatic. The price range of such printer run from P5,000 to P19,000 each depending on the speed of operation. If you apply a similar Smartmatic software to run the scanner on this Canon technology using a similar software to Smartmatic the cost may come out cheaper. But instead of the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) scanning technology change the software to handle Optical Character Reader (OCR) which is the technology used by other successful automated proven election system overseas. By doing so, we can have a less complicated and simplified system. And this comparison with Canon as an example of similar intensity of technology, shows us a price difference of nearly 3 times that to Smartmatic. I’ve asked IT experts and they share the same thoughts. I hope the Commission on Audit (COA) looks into the breakdown of these purchases and services. Do some cost analysis. Show the citizens you care about such seemingly excessive expenses. When I think of the costs we will incur for this coming election (not to mention the previous ones), my heart breaks.

I don’t see why technology that has expounded down to the masses can be very expensive. Shouldn’t it have brought more possibilities and lesser costs? This seems to be a super great deal if you ask me. I’m quite worried about what will become of our elections with this untested and unproven system which actually violates RA9369. Just think about it one more time.

I truly hope my gut feeling of a conspiracy with regard to this issue (or more so, a concern) is wrong. Skepticism clouds this partnership with Smartmatic-Total Information Management (TIM) Corporation. If foreign ownership laws of 60/40 local ownership/foreign partner was followed, I wonder where the billions paid to this company, after wages and manufacturing costs are hidden or who are the secret local partners here or/and overseas.

In a statement on February 18, 2015, Dick Gordon, author of the Automated Election System legislation, mentioned reviewing the operation of Comelec and if proven with wrong doings, to impeach all the Comelec commissioners. Let’s see how serious he is in this one.

But first things first, the Commission on Audit (COA), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must scrutinize the affairs and the dealing of Comelec particularly on their partnership with Smartmatic and TIMS in order to ensure the right of the people to suffrage and achieve genuine elections.