The Philippine Online Chronicles

Election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) questioned the capability and readiness of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the forthcoming automated elections.

In a statement, Namfrel said “there is a growing feeling of mistrust among the public which has fueled a great deal of speculation that the elections will fail.” “Its (Comelec) credibility will be damaged and its lack of vision will become obvious if it insists on pronouncing it will implement 100 percent automation and not prepare for other likely outcomes.”

Earlier, another watchdog gave Comelec a danger rating on preparedness.

Namfrel said from the very beginning, questions were raised when the contract for the Automated Election System (AES) was awarded to Smartmatic-Total Information Management (TIM).

It raised concerns regarding various process of the automated polls including deadlines not being enforced by the Comelec, controversy on the review of the Source Code, preparation for Random Manual Audit, cleansing of the Voters List, transmission of data, server availability and transparency, ballot printing and deployment of machines.

“It is dangerous for the Comelec to assume it can achieve 100 percent automated elections and not prepare for manual elections just in case the system breaks down in some or all precincts.”

Namfrel said the Comelec must have clear guidelines issued to all its election inspectors and watchers as to what steps they should take in case automation problems arise on election day.

“Our respect for the Comelec will increase if it shows readiness and preparedness to handle the most likely scenarios pre and post election.”

“The Comelec owe it to the Filipino people to work hard to earn their trust and deliver to them an election they can believe in,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged Comelec to admit the status of ballot printing after the National Printing Office expressed alarm over technical problems regarding the printing of official ballots.

Namfrel, together with CBCP’s National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice and Peace (NASSA) filed for a joint petition for accreditation which Comelec denied due to alleged partisan leanings and lack of credibility.

The group said they will file a Motion for Reconsideration and if Comelec does not reconsider, they will bring up the case to the Supreme Court, according to Namfrel president Jose Cuisia.

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