Comelec chief urges Congress to pass election modernization law

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos called on Congress yesterday to pass a law allowing automated elections in 2007.

"We should already be preparing for the 2007 elections at this time if we are to use automated machines so we are asking Congress to define whether we are for modernization or not," he said in an interview.

Abalos said the Omnibus Elections Code only provides for manual delivery of election results, preventing the Comelec from using electronic transmission technology.

"Let us amend the law to give the Comelec the chance to choose the latest technology that is appropriate for use at this time like the use of transmission technology machines that would allow us to declare the winners fast," he said.

Abalos added that, if Congress would allow it, the Comelec could use the automated counting machines (ACMs) which were purchased by the election commission but prohibited from use by the Supreme Court during the 2004 presidential race.

"Without prejudice to the decision of the court, the Mega Pacific (Corp.) has expressed willingness to allow the poll body to use the automated machines which I think would be good for us," he said.

Meanwhile, Abalos said the Comelec is ready for manual elections if Congress opts to continue with the traditional system of elections in 2007.

"What we want is for Congress to define our position because right now we are neither here nor there," he said.

In January 2004, the Supreme Court voided the contract between the Comelec and Mega Pacific Corp. for the sale of ACMS amounting to P1.2 million that were to be used for the May 2004 elections.

In nullifying the contract, the tribunal cited irregularities in the bidding process.

In 2003, President Arroyo approved a Comelec plan to spend P1.8 billion to acquire ACMs.

At that time, Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo said the electoral modernization program was part of Mrs. Arroyo’s commitment to ensure clean and honest elections.

"As far as the Comelec is concerned, represented by Chairman Abalos, he said to the Cabinet in the presence of the members of the commission that there would be first priority given to the counting and tabulation of votes," he said.

"Then the next priority is registration and transmission. In the first priority which is counting and tabulation of votes. (Abalos) estimated the cost to be more or less P1.8 billion."

Abalos and the poll body’s commissioners presented the electoral modernization plan to Mrs. Arroyo and the Cabinet in Malacañang in 2003.

Abalos told Mrs. Arroyo and the Cabinet at that time that the Comelec would target the completion of advanced tabulation of nationwide results within 48 hours at the "outmost" after elections.

"Accordingly, efforts are being taken to automate the consolidation process," he said.

Abalos had sought an additional P1 billion on top of the P2.5 billion, which Mrs. Arroyo had earlier released for the computerization of the 2004 elections, the Malacañang press office said in 2003.