While our attention may be focused on the recent release of iPad and online campaigning issues these past few weeks, I invite your attention to two (2) news articles today in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The first article is about the move or proposal of Globe and PLDT to withdraw their offers to host the main data center that would transmit the election results of the May 10 polls on their respective premises in Makati City for fear of physical or technical attacks. Globe and PLDT proposed alternative sites to host the data center, but the COMELEC said these sites did not meet up the required standards. There were proposals for site relocation, but Globe and PLDT said they will still inspect these sites. Furthermore, COMELEC Chair Melo offered to provide security to both Globe and PLDT whose offices were already well secured. He said, “We said we could even give you a battalion of soldiers. We can even give you air cover 24 hours a day.”
The second article is about the apprehension of the IBP and Lente (Legal Network for Truthful Elections) that delays in preparations could put in jeopardy the country’s first automated national elections. IBP said that, “While there is no dispute that the automated elections will expedite the counting of votes, there is also a danger that if it is not properly handled, it could lead to massive fraud unparalleled in Philippine history.”
The two groups were particularly concerned over post-mock election reports that the voting could take as much as 22 hours for a precinct with 1,000 registered voters. It was that observed the mock elections in Quezon City on Feb. 6, said it took 1 voter 5-6 minutes to vote. So, it was asserted that there is a need to adopt now a contingency plan to prevent the massive disenfranchisement of voters, including a failure of elections.
These are, indeed, two (2) very real concerns that we have to face today and act on it the soonest possible. I have no qualms about our shift to automate our elections. In fact, I’m very much supportive of such a move. This is an inevitable development in the near future anyway, I think. But with the way things are going at present, there is a great deal of urgency to solve these problems now. Otherwise, it could lead to could “lead to massive fraud unparalleled in Philippine history” or it could result in a failure of elections. Personally, I do not know how exactly these two (2) concerns should be addressed. I just fervently hope that somewhere, somehow, the people concerned would be able to come up and adopt effective measures – even contingency plans – to solve these concerns. ASAP!
Reody Anthony M. Balisi
11th Entry
Sources:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100217-253637/Globe-PLDT-fear-attacks
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100217-253638/Lawyers-call-poll-automation-very-dangerous-experiment
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1 comment:
even if it takes us one week to vote, i would stay in my precinct (with reviewers in hand) and still vote. i am actually anticipating that it would take a long time for everyone to vote. though if they know they are anticipating delays, obviously they should hire industrial engineers. that is their job. finding the optimal level of operation given the voting procedure, voting time and voting population. solution - eh di mas maraming machines OR mas mabilis na pagvote OR longer voting hours.
at hindi ko rin gets kung bakit mas matagal. eh diba COUNTING MACHINES lang naman ang dinagdag sa proseso? kasi magshshade pa rin ang tao though ipapasok niya na rin sa counting machine. bakit mas matagal - yan ang question... hay.
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