Sealing of PCOS machines May 8

CEBU, Philippines - Naga City Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer Ann Janette Chua Hu-Lamban yesterday said the final testing and sealing of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines will be held on May 8. 

Hu-Lamban has already sent notices to all candidates, concerned party representatives, and accredited citizens arms, including interest groups and the media to observe the testing. 

The Comelec will convene between 8:30 in the morning to 5:00 in the afternoon at the Evan Chiong Activity Center. 

“Registered political party and candidates shall be entitled to one watcher, provided that the candidates for Sangguniang Panlungsod belonging to the same slate or ticket shall be entitled to only one watcher per clustered precinct,” Hu-Lamban said. 

The PCOS machines and the ballots will be stored in an undisclosed warehouse, with security guards, for safekeeping, and will be turned over to city and municipal treasurer’s offices — custodians of the election paraphernalia — a few days before May 13.

The Final Testing and Sealing of the PCOS is in line with a COMELEC en banc resolution which says Testing and Sealing should be done within seven days prior to Election day, May 13. 

Hu-Lamban pointed out that this is a new decision because in 2010, final testing and opening of the PCOS happened three days before elections.

That time, when problems were noted, it was too late for the poll agency to provide speedy solutions.  (FREEMAN)