MANILA – The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel)
on Thursday expressed concern over the reliability of precinct count
optical scan (PCOS) machines, citing reports from its volunteers.
In a letter to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto
Brillantes dated April 23, Namfrel’s chair Corazon de la Paz-Bernardo
brought to Comelec’s attention their concern on PCOS machines’
capability to “initialize, operate and transmit the results on election
day.”
“We are receiving reports from our provincial chapters about the
preparations for the coming elections and this is one of the areas that
we feel we have to raise a red flag on,” said Bernardo.
Bernardo enumerated several instances wherein PCOS machines rejected ballots or failed to transmit.
Most of the incidents were observed by Namfrel volunteers during the mock elections held on February 2, she said.
Bernardo also said there were problems in the Comelec "demo centers"
in Cubao and Davao, as well as in the absentee overseas voting in Hong
Kong.
She requested the Comelec to share with Namfrel and other citizens'
arms the poll body’s contingency plan if problems arise on election day.
“We know that the Comelec is trying its best to ensure that the
preparations for the May 13 elections include the operation-worthiness
of the PCOS machines. We enjoin you to have your technical staff double
check the capability of the PCOS so that the elections will run smoothly
from voting to transmission,” she said.
The Comelec, meanwhile, is scheduled to do a final transmission test
on May 2, while the final testing and sealing of the PCOS machines at
the precincts will be on May 6.
Brillantes earlier said the poll body has laid out contingency measures to address problems that may come up on May 13.
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