Focus on the Global South - Philippines Programme

Following reports of PCOS poll counting errors and the specter of an automated Garci, HALALANG MARANGAL (HALAL) recently raised its rating for the 2010 AUTOMATED ELECTION SYSTEM (AES), from a 25% Chance of Success to a 37% Chance of Success. While there is positive increase in the chance of success, this still means that automation has a 63% chance of failing. Earlier HALAL released an open letter to the COMELEC identifying 3 THINGS the COMELEC can do to assuage people’s concerns: Assign unique identifier for PCOS Machines; Authorize printing of Election Returns (ERs); Manual Audit of Votes for President. Given that elections is just days away, this call nevertheless is still very important, as it highlights key areas where we anticipate snags. (Please read full article here)

As of this writing, the COMELEC has denied the possibility of a manual count, saying that it is only prepared to go manual for 30% of precincts should glitches occur. COMELEC instead recently put out RESOLUTION 8839, which details emergency measures to be taken in connection with the 2010 automated elections. (Please read resolution here)  In COMELEC RESOLUTION 8839, the COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS lays down contingency procedures that will be taking effect should there be any hitches in the conduct of the automated 2010 elections. Section 2 provides the organizational structure for carrying out the contingency plan. SECTION 3 covers procedures related to national canvassing or problems involving the central and national operation of the automated system, while Section 4 deals with provincial to municipal level issues. Problems and measures related to the PRECINCT COUNT OPTICAL SCAN (PCOS)  are tackled in SECTION 5.

As in previous elections, it is important to be vigilant and informed.

 

HALALANG MARANGAL’s (HALAL) Assessment of Automated Election System:

 

	March 2010	April 2010
Overall AES Chance of Success	25%	32%
Hardware	80%	80%
Software	70%	70%
Logistics	80%	90%
Transmission	70%	90%
Ballot Printing	80%	70%