‘PCOS machines in tip-top shape’

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes assured the public yesterday that the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines are in good condition.

In an interview, Brillantes said the Comelec is continuously testing the machines at the warehouse of the poll body in Cabuyao, Laguna.

“We have a continuing assessment of the PCOS machines in the assembly, configuration, and production lines,” he said. “If there is a need to replace some, we are doing that already.”

Brillantes said PCOS parts are being checked at the assembly line in the warehouse, and those found defective are immediately replaced.

“For example if they see the adaptor having moisture in the process of the assembly and configuration and production, they replace it,” he said.

The Comelec purchased some 81,280 PCOS machines for use in the country’s first automated elections three years ago.

Last January, the Comelec publicly tested the PCOS machines during a mock election. 

They will be assessed again during the field testing and sealing weeks before election day.

The Comelec is set to deliver today some election forms, supplies, equipment and paraphernalia to be used for voter’s education nationwide.

The Comelec packing and shipping committee will turn them over to the courier/forwarding companies contracted through public bidding.

The Comelec will train 856 Negrenses on how to troubleshoot the PCOS machines on election day.

Acting Negros Occidental provincial election supervisor Wil Arceño said the training for PCOS machine technicians will be on April 2 and 3.

The PCOS technicians must be either college students or graduates with knowledge in information technology or teachers of IT subjects.

The hiring is based on Comelec guidelines, which set the qualifications.

Arceño said the Comelec is no longer in partnership with Smartmatic Corp. for the operation of PCOS machines in the May elections.

Teachers appointed as Board of Election Inspectors will operate the PCOS machines.

One technician will be deployed for every five precincts to be on standby to immediately fix technical malfunctions of PCOS machines on election day.

 - With Danny Dangcalan