Comelec to lease more machines for 2016 polls

MANILA, Philippines - More Optical Mark Reader (OMR) and Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines will be leased for use in the 2016 elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) reported yesterday that some P2.07 billion has been allocated for the lease of 23,000 OMR units and another P30.75 million for 410 DRE machines.

Spokesman James Jimenez said the lease contracts shall have an “option to purchase” clause similar to the agreement entered into with Smartmatic International during the 2010 elections.

“Just like in 2009, these will be leases with option to purchase clauses for the Comelec,” he said.

In the 2013 elections, the Comelec invoked the “option to purchase” clause in acquiring the PCOS machines for P1.8 billion.

The BAC said P90,000 per unit has been set for OMR and P75,000 for each DRE.

“Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) shall automatically be rejected at bid opening,” the BAC said.

The Comelec has also allocated a budget for the purchase of other election materials like ballot boxes, as well as for the payment of technicians who will operate the machines.               

Interested parties have until Dec. 4 to acquire the bidding documents from the Comelec in the non-refundable amount of P75,000 for the OMR and P25,000 for the DRE.

The BAC said bidders are required to have completed a contract similar to the project subject of their bidding.

“The system offered by the bidder must have been successfully used in a prior electoral exercise here and/or abroad,” the BAC said.