♥ReGeneration♥

The upcoming 2010 elections in the Philippines is the hottest issue as of now because of the reason that it would be done not manually but using the automated machine with the help of the new technology. About 50 million people are expected to vote at 350,000 precincts in May 2010 to elect a president, vice president, nearly 300 members of Congress and more than 17,000 local officials through the new and untested automated system.

Unlike in past elections when counting and tallying of votes were done manually, taking almost a month to determine results at the national level, Comelec is promising results within 36 hours under the new system made by the Smartmatic with the partnership of the Total Information Management Corp. (TIM).

However, “As Ducky Paredes kept emphasizing, election related preparations can't just be rushed. Else, it will create uncertain situation that harms the organization as well. Every government office, especially its leadership, always want to deliver better service to the people. However, forces beyond its control, like the legislature and various interest groups can either help or be a productive watchdog (give thumbs up or down accordingly) or make all efforts impossible. Their actions influences our perception on the COMELEC.”

http://philippineselection.blogspot.com/2007/07/automated-election-in-2010.html

Many people concluded that the Philippines is not yet ready to experience a modernized election especially that the time for preparation is not enough. And according to the national survey, one in 10 Filipinos can not read and write.

“I am not willing to spend even a single centavo for a system which is not tested, for a system we cannot even describe or define, or a system that we’re not even sure of delivering a clean, honest and fair election,” Escudero said.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090306-192592/All-go-for-automated-elections-in-2010

“It’s not unfounded (Comelec’s apprehensions), it’s dangerous. We have not tried automation,” Enrile said over radio station dwIZ.”

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=481760

It would be the first time that the Philippines would use an automated machine for the national election and in fact, the senators said they were not sure how the Comelec would conduct the actual balloting and whether there were backup plans if the machines failed to scan the ballots, print and transmit results.

“How secured the comelec voting system that they urge to use the automated election this 2010? I think the system can be hacked and manipulate the results by the computer experts. If the National Security system of U.S have millions of attempts to hacked and control their system, how much more here in the Philippines.”

http://mariancalago.blogspot.com/2009/05/automated-election-for-2010.html

With all the disadvantages stated above, it would be better also if we could compare it to the advantages to balance everything and to make a conclusion later.

“Gordon, author of RA 9369 or the amended Automated Elections System (AES) Law, issued the statement to allay fears that automated elections would equate to computerized cheating. the law, which is technology-neutral, has mandated at least 16 "minimum system requirements" to ensure clean, honest and credible elections.

The minimum system requirements mandated by RA 9369 include adequate security against unauthorized access; accessibility to illiterates and disabled voters; vote tabulating program for election, referendum or plebiscite; accurate ballot counters; data retention provision; utilize or generate official ballots; and configure access control for sensitive system data and function. It also mandates accuracy in recording and reading of votes as well as in the tabulation, consolidation/canvassing, electronic transmission, and storage of results; and error recovery in case of non-catastrophic failure of device; and system integrity which ensures physical stability and functioning of the vote recording and counting process. RA 9369 requires a source code for the automated election system (AES) to be selected and shall be made available by the Comelec to all interested parties for their review. The AES shall also include a continuity plan in case of a systems breakdown or any such eventuality which shall result in the delay, obstruction or non-performance of the electoral process. Other safeguards include provisions for voter verified paper audit trail; system auditability to provide supporting documentation for verifying the correctness of reported election results; and to provide for the safekeeping, storing and archiving of physical or paper resource used in the election process.

The law also requires that the machines should provide the voter a system of verification to find out whether the machine has registered his choice; and a random manual audit be done in one precinct per congressional district randomly chosen by the Comelec in each province and city.

Gordon said any difference between the automated and manual count will result in the determination of root cause and initiate a manual count for those precincts affected by the computer or procedural error.”

http://forums.abs-cbn.com/thread/3020566.aspx

“With automated elections, our people can rely on the fact that their vote will be counted, and that their vote will mean change for the country, then they will stop being cynical. And once they stop being cynical, perhaps the focus will now be on the common good,” said Gordon.

Melo said full automation under the Precinct Counting Optical Scan (PCOS) would considerably reduce instances of fraud and cheating. It will also lessen election complaints because the system promises to be fast and accurate, according to the Comelec chief.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090306-192592/All-go-for-automated-elections-in-2010

As an IT student and a first time voter, I would rather choose the automated than the manual. It is for the reason that I wanted the Philippines to excel in the fields of technology though we all know that it would be very difficult for the Filipinos to adjust on the very big changes that would happen in the 2010 elections. But what’s the role of people who has experienced using technologies, like us IT students? We can help to educate those people who don’t even know how to use computer devices though there is only a short period of time left. How about if an assistant could help an illiterate voter during the votation? How about if the system would just provide pictures of the candidates and instruct the voter to just click the picture of the person who they want to vote with? I know it would be very crucial for everyone but we with the help of our prayers, whatever would be the result of the 2010 elections, it would be God’s plan because He knows best. If any of the interested groups are planning to cheat on the system, time will come that they would suffer for everything they would do. It’s time for our country to excel, to shine, to be known. And it’s time for us to prove to the world that we can stand together to fight for the right. But the biggest question that remains is that: Will there be elections by 2010?