Gov't must assure public of credible 2013 elections

Raul Concepcion, chairman of Gov’t Watch, reiterated to Comelec the importance of assuring the voting public of its readiness for the 2013 midterm elections. 

Concepcion said, “Comelec’s repeated pronouncements that all preparations for the 2013 elections is proceeding on schedule, there exists persistent doubts particularly on the PCOS machines bought from Smartmatic.”

He then reiterated the following points of consideration for Comelec as a measure of assurance for a reliable and credible 2013 midterm elections:

1) Conduct an actual simulation or mock elections using the updated and corrected PCOS machines. This will prove that all glitches and issues raised by the COMELEC Advisory Council have been addressed.

In addition, Chairwoman Cora dela Paz of NAMFREL and other civic groups together with Gov’t Watch will help Comelec in setting up this simulation exercise in selected areas in the country. In this regard, Concepcion has pledged to use his companies’ 48 provincial offices as coordinators for this undertaking.

2) Smartmatic’s official representatives must be present during the mock elections and during the actual elections on May 13, 2013.

3) Smartmatic should appraise Comelec of new technologies that may be available to ensure the foolproofness, speed and accuracy in tabulating and reporting the election results.

4) Rethink the practice of consolidated voting centers because this is open to manipulation. Likewise, the voting public must be properly informed of the consolidated voting centers’ locations.

5) Lastly, Comelec must act immediately on declaring nuisance candidates. This must be properly disseminated in media and posted on Comelec’s website as early as possible.

On a personal note, Concepcion envisions an unquestioned reliable and highly credible electoral system for our country that may be a lasting legacy of President Aquino aside from his crusade against corruption and the promotion of accountability in government. — Gov’t Watch