By RAYMUND F. ANTONIO (Manila Bulletin)
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/255262/manual-count-junked
Link: http://mb.com.ph/articles/255262/manual-count-junked
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) junked Thursday the proposed parallel manual count in the country’s first automated elections on May 10, on the pretext that it would only open up opportunities for cheating.
In its unanimous decision, the poll body ruled that the manual count is not the “only” way to validate the electronic results of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, as pressed by religious leaders, IT experts, the Makati Business Club (MBC), and even some of the candidates themselves.
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, who read the contents of the resolution before the media, said adopting such measure would have an adverse effect on the automation process such as the creation of discrepancies or errors in the tallying of votes.
“The Commission also cannot accept that the mere existence of disagreement between the hand and electronic count should automatically be interpreted as proof of the inaccuracy of the electronic count,” the seven-page resolution said.
Jimenez said a parallel count of the ballots, when allowed, would lead to deliberate shading of additional ovals or the defacing of the ballots’ security marks.
“The scrapping of the electronic count and canvass in favor of the hand count and manual canvassing will likewise open up the possibility of the return of old modes of cheating – particularly dagdag-bawas and the resurrection of sleeping Garcis,” he said.
“With the certificates of canvass prepared manually, the old ills of error and fabricated COCs (certificates of canvass) will resurface, leading ironically to a less credible election result,” Jimenez added.
Earlier, the MBC, joined by various groups, called on the poll body to conduct a parallel manual count to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the digital count that will be given by the PCOS machines.
The parallel manual count, which would cost the Comelec an additional P500 million, will require the members of the board of elections inspectors (BEIs) to manually count the ballots that will be cast.
It will also mean that the BEIs will have to stay more than two to three days at the precincts to count the ballots.
Jimenez said the petition for a parallel count now denied by Comelec, it will push through instead with a random manual vote audit for the May 10 polls.
“The random manual audit is the only legally sanctioned mechanism for validating the PCOS count. The paralle manual count, therefore, does not have any legal basis,” the resolution read.
Palace backs Comelec
Meanwhile, Malacañang stood behind Comelec’s decision to junk the proposal for a parallel manual count.
We agree with Comelec's decision. We will expect full and appropriate compliance with it by all parties concerned, and we continue to urge our countrymen to support Comelec and vote based only on what their conscience tells them – the two conditions for a successful and credible election,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar said in a statement.
n a briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said it is up to the Comelec to decide on the matter, which is under their jurisdiction, noting that the executive will always be supportive of the poll body.
“With the Comelec decision not to a parallel manual count, all efforts are focused on getting automated counting to work. This will help ensure the expectation of 80 percent of Filipinos that automation will be easier and better,” he said.
The Comelec agreed to Malacañang’s earlier hard stance on the proposal by key business groups that call for a manual count of votes for the three top positions, including president, vice president, and mayors and compare them with the automated results to ensure credible, transparent, and honest elections next month.
Olivar earlier said the Arroyo Administration is not giving in to their “they-want-to-have-their-cakes-and-eat-it,-too” proposal, even as it also called on the anti-government camps to stop sowing terror among the voting public by spreading their fears about a failure of elections, which is unlikely to happen.
Saludo also took the opportunity to commend the security forces “for their selfless dedication to their duty and our democracy, despite, baseless attacks on their untiring work and unsullied intentions.” (Charissa M. Luci)
In its unanimous decision, the poll body ruled that the manual count is not the “only” way to validate the electronic results of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, as pressed by religious leaders, IT experts, the Makati Business Club (MBC), and even some of the candidates themselves.
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez, who read the contents of the resolution before the media, said adopting such measure would have an adverse effect on the automation process such as the creation of discrepancies or errors in the tallying of votes.
“The Commission also cannot accept that the mere existence of disagreement between the hand and electronic count should automatically be interpreted as proof of the inaccuracy of the electronic count,” the seven-page resolution said.
Jimenez said a parallel count of the ballots, when allowed, would lead to deliberate shading of additional ovals or the defacing of the ballots’ security marks.
“The scrapping of the electronic count and canvass in favor of the hand count and manual canvassing will likewise open up the possibility of the return of old modes of cheating – particularly dagdag-bawas and the resurrection of sleeping Garcis,” he said.
“With the certificates of canvass prepared manually, the old ills of error and fabricated COCs (certificates of canvass) will resurface, leading ironically to a less credible election result,” Jimenez added.
Earlier, the MBC, joined by various groups, called on the poll body to conduct a parallel manual count to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the digital count that will be given by the PCOS machines.
The parallel manual count, which would cost the Comelec an additional P500 million, will require the members of the board of elections inspectors (BEIs) to manually count the ballots that will be cast.
It will also mean that the BEIs will have to stay more than two to three days at the precincts to count the ballots.
Jimenez said the petition for a parallel count now denied by Comelec, it will push through instead with a random manual vote audit for the May 10 polls.
“The random manual audit is the only legally sanctioned mechanism for validating the PCOS count. The paralle manual count, therefore, does not have any legal basis,” the resolution read.
Palace backs Comelec
Meanwhile, Malacañang stood behind Comelec’s decision to junk the proposal for a parallel manual count.
We agree with Comelec's decision. We will expect full and appropriate compliance with it by all parties concerned, and we continue to urge our countrymen to support Comelec and vote based only on what their conscience tells them – the two conditions for a successful and credible election,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar said in a statement.
n a briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said it is up to the Comelec to decide on the matter, which is under their jurisdiction, noting that the executive will always be supportive of the poll body.
“With the Comelec decision not to a parallel manual count, all efforts are focused on getting automated counting to work. This will help ensure the expectation of 80 percent of Filipinos that automation will be easier and better,” he said.
The Comelec agreed to Malacañang’s earlier hard stance on the proposal by key business groups that call for a manual count of votes for the three top positions, including president, vice president, and mayors and compare them with the automated results to ensure credible, transparent, and honest elections next month.
Olivar earlier said the Arroyo Administration is not giving in to their “they-want-to-have-their-cakes-and-eat-it,-too” proposal, even as it also called on the anti-government camps to stop sowing terror among the voting public by spreading their fears about a failure of elections, which is unlikely to happen.
Saludo also took the opportunity to commend the security forces “for their selfless dedication to their duty and our democracy, despite, baseless attacks on their untiring work and unsullied intentions.” (Charissa M. Luci)
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