Automated poll opens new loopholes, tricks

The shift from manual to modern polling is becoming a nightmare. What was billed as the end to all election frauds is portending chaotic, incredible balloting in 2004.

Part of the blame is lack of funding.

The Commission on Elections had to junk a foolproof voter-identification plan after getting only half its needed budget to modernize. In lieu of purging the voters’ list via a new registration of all voters-accompanied by photographing, fingerprinting and issuance of ID cards-the Comelec resorted to "voter validation." Voters were requested to report to their barangays for updating of personal records, photographs, and signatures. But because not compulsory, it will not serve to smoke out multiple registrants who turn into flying voters. At best, the new ID card could make it easier for a voter to go through verification. But then, the cards have yet to be mailed to the estimated five million (of the 37 million) registrants who complied.

Part of the blame too is lack of time.

The Comelec shamefully has to limit automation to only Metro Manila and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, three of 81 provinces, and ten of 130 cities. Suppliers won’t be able to produce enough special ballots and automated counting machines by Election Day. Sadly the Comelec had bet too early on automation when it gave up the equally important voter ID system.

And part of it is poor legislation.

The Comelec had predicted only 1.8 million of 7.5 million overseas contract workers to register for absentee balloting. Yet only a sixth-a mere 325,000-showed up. The new Absentee Voting Act had made it arduous for them. They had to trek to the nearest embassy or consulate-often thousands of miles and hundreds of dollars from work-just to enlist. On Election Day, they would have to go through the ordeal again. Congress allowed voting by mail only in one of 288 countries with Filipino workers, Japan. It also made absentee registration and voting good only for 2004. So why go through all the hassle?

Worst of the blame is a combination of all the above, plus Comelec inability to draw up remedies.

The usual filing of candidacy 100 days before Election Day was advanced by two months to Dec. 15. This, because the Comelec would need to print not only the list of candidates for posting in the 145,000 or so poll precints, but also the special ballots for automated counting that must contain matching names. Each city, province and congressional district would have its own set of ballots, listing local candidates along with those for President, Vice President, senator and party list. Voters would simply shade the bubble beside the chosen candidate’s name. But political parties lobbied with the Comelec to move the deadline for filing of candidacy to mid-January. This, so candidates can avoid pesky campaigners who would expect expensive Christmas gifts. The Comelec complied, but this only tightened all the more the production deadlines for the special ballots. For, the Comelec had to move back, too, the deadline for contenders to contest the qualifications of opponents.

The Comelec has had to move back too the deadline for registration of new voters. It was in response to complaints of day-long queues to accommodate those who turned 18 only after the last registration for the 2001 elections. Yet the Comelec has not improve its listing procedures to quicken the lines.

The transition from manual to automated balloting also brings built-in contradictions.

Voters would need to elect only a maximum of 12 senators out of the expected list of hundreds, for instance. In areas where the old ballot would apply, 12 blanks are provided for the purpose. Some voters mistakenly write in a candidate’s name more than once. Under old rules for areas with manual voting, the ballot would still be valid, but only the first mention of the name would be counted.

The special ballots for automated counting require different rules. Voters won’t make the mistake of double voting because the senatorial candidates’ names will be listed only once. But voters must take care not to shade more than 12 names of senators, lest they automatically invalidate the ballot. The counting machine would simply refure to read it, and thus mar the votes as well for the local and other national candidates.

Voters cannot afford to commit other mistakes, then request for replacement ballots. Under old rules for manual voting, a precinct is given 20-percent more ballots than the number of voters listed in it-precisely for errors. This could range from 20 to 60 extra forms per precinct. But special ballots for automated polling cost 25 times more than the old forms. So the Comelec will provide only ten extra ballots per precinct. Unused ones will be destroyed before counting, as usual.

The trickiest loophole will be in the old substitution rule. With automation, the name of the candidate who dies or withdraws will no longer be credited to the replacement. Under the manual balloting, the old rule will prevail. That is, a substitute can file a certificate of candidacy up to midday of Election Day to replace a partymate who dies or withdraws or is disqualified. Votes for the dead or withdrawn bet will be credited to him, even if the voters have not been informed of the switch.

It’s already flawed to have two sets of laws applying in one election. But the bigger flaw would be in a celebrity running, then withdraw at the last minute for a rich but unpopular candidate. Is that why they want so much Fernando Poe Jr. to run for President?

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