PCOS machines may be used in barangay polls

MANILA, Philippines - The precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines might be used in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 28.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said while no law mandates the automation of the coming elections, the poll body is thinking of maximizing the use of the machines.

The government now owns the PCOS machines after buying them from Smartmatic International Corp. for the May 13 elections.

Brillantes said in case the machines are used, they will only be pilot tested in selected areas.

“Among the areas that we are considering is Metro Manila or just one city in Metro Manila – the smallest or the biggest,” he said.

The barangay and SK elections are still being done manually since they do not require the consolidation of votes at the national level.

Brillantes said the plan is not yet final as there are aspects that need to be considered.

“It is also more costly to automate so we have to consider that. Nothing is final yet, we are still discussing this in the en banc,” he said.

Some considerations include the earlier filing of the certificates of candidacy since automation requires the advance printing of candidates’ names on ballots and the procurement of special paper for the ballots.