Dry run for automated polls: Comelec: Field test a success

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared yesterday’s field testing of the automated elections a success.

Two barangays in Naga City in southern Cebu were among the areas where the field tests were conducted around the country.

Lionel Marco Castillano, provincial election supervisor of Comelec-Cebu Province said that the tests made in barangays Bairan and Alfaco, Naga City were both successful.

He, however, admitted that there was a slight problem with the transmission of results from one barangay, but this was immediately remedied.

In the field test, 40 ballots were filled up in each of the two barangays to simulate the polls. 

After these were filled up, the ballots were fed into the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine and the results were immediately transmitted to the Municipal Board of Canvassers stationed at the city hall of Naga.

From the city hall, the results were later transmitted to the Provincial Board of Canvassers stationed at the Capitol social hall manned by Castillano himself.

Election registrars from the different cities and municipalities in Cebu province were present at Capitol yesterday and witnessed the proceedings.

After Castillano received the results from the City of Naga, these were transmitted to the central office of the Comelec in Manila.

Castillano said that they encountered a minor problem after the Comelec personnel in barangay Bairan noticed the lack of signal.

The personnel stationed in barangay Bairan were able to transmit the results through the Broadband Global Area Network.

Castillano said the personnel, stationed in every barangay and municipality, are aware that transmission is through modem for areas with signal and through Broadband Global Area Network for areas without signal.

The provincial head of Comelec said that despite the minor problem they encountered, they were informed by officials in Manila, that Cebu was the first one to transmit the results.

Aside from Cebu Province, field tests were also conducted between 7 am to 12 noon yesterday in 10 polling precincts and nine canvassing centers in Benguet, South Cotabato, Pateros, and Taguig.

Castillano said that after the successful field testing in Naga City, they also recommend for field tests in island municipalities of the province.

According to Castillano, the purpose of the test is not only to check the transmission of election results, but to determine the capability of their office to deploy personnel to island barangays.

Despite the success in yesterday’s field testing, Castillano said their office has adopted measures to ensure the success of the May 10 elections.

He stressed that the electronic transmission stage is crucial because it will be the determining factor in holding automated polls.

He further said that it also eliminates the need for the board of election inspectors to physically transport the counted ballots from the voting centers to the board of canvassers for tallying in the municipal, provincial and national levels.

Under the new system, results for the national positions are expected to be out in 48 hours, instead of the usual one or two months.

Officials of the Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM supervised in yesterday’s testing in the two barangays of Naga City.

At least eight members of the Special Reaction Unit of the Cebu Provincial Police Office were assigned to the two barangays to ensure peace and order in the place.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director, Sr. Supt. Erson Digal assured Comelec that more personnel will be assigned to the different barangays during the elections.

Digal, however, explained that the fielding of more personnel to the different barangays will depend on the request of the local police chiefs.

Aside from the Philippine National Police, military personnel also assured support to the Comelec especially at the mid-north area of Cebu.

Meanwhile, the Cebu provincial board has passed a resolution requesting the Philippine National Police and the Comelec to attend next week’s session and shed light their preparation for the May 10 local and national elections.

The provincial board also asked Comelec to start training teachers that will serve as members of Board of Election Inspectors.

Another resolution approved by the Provincial Board, requested local officials in the different cities and municipalities to conduct information campaign on the new voting process in their respective barangays. —/NLQ   (FREEMAN NEWS)