Smartmatic shrugs off PCOS machine glitches

CEBU, Philippines - Smartmatic-Total Information Management spokesman and PR manager Gene Gregorio told the public not to panic over reports of glitches observed in the system during the field testing of Precinct Count Optical Scanner machines because the purpose of these tests is to determine possible problems and provide solutions.

The Commission on Elections conducted the first field test of the automated election process in 10 selected precincts across the country to assess the efficiency of the data transmission system while simulating election day activities starting from the reading of ballots by the PCOS machines to the transmission of data and the canvassing of votes.

 The 10 precincts were located in different provinces across the country, mixed rural and urban areas, so the Comelec would know how the election process will go in different settings.

The test ran smoothly except for a minor glitch that appeared in one precinct in Pateros, Metro Manila, where the first trial to transmit data failed allegedly due to the SIM card used. Comelec has determined that the problem was with the network and not with the system.

Gregorio said that in cases like this, Smartmatic and Comelec have prepared a contingency plan. He said that in case the machine fails to transmit data because of network problems, the Board of Election Inspectors can transport the memory to a nearby machine that is capable of transmitting the data.

He said that the public should not worry because during the field tests, they are expecting the worst scenarios to happen so they can immediately formulate a solution to avoid the same problem in the future.

With regards to worries over the delay of the machines, Gregorio said that around 41,000 machines are already in the country while, 8,000 are waiting Customs clearance and 33,000 are already in transit.

He assured that Smartmatic is close to accomplishing everything and they are already targeting to complete all machines by February 21. By April, they shall start installing the machines seven to three days before the elections.

In a demonstration conducted yesterday attended by the media, Smartmatic Demonstrations and Presentations coordinator Miguel Eugenio Avila gave details of the security measures of the PCOS to assure the public that the election cannot be easily manipulated using the machines.

Avila said that data is encrypted and digitally signed. Hacking is not probable because the online connection of machines is limited only during times that it is transmitting data. He said that a 128-bit encryption cannot be hacked by someone in less than half a year. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)