Faulty computers mar Comelec registration

CEBU - Only half of the expected number of registrants had been processed yesterday in the two offices of Commission on Election in Cebu City due to defective computers.

Cebu City North Comelec officer Marchel Sarno said they were only able to register around 200 while about the same number was also registered by the office of Cebu City South Comelec officer Edwin Cadungog.

Both offices were hoping to target processing 1,000 registrants yesterday.

Sarno said each office used only one computer meant for scanning and data capture of registrants. The hardware of these computers had been sent to Manila yesterday and is expected to be sent back for today’s use.

There were complaints of slow processing by residents who were already in line as early as 6 a.m. Around 20 residents from Cebu City’s South district had an argument with Cebu City South officer-in-charge Bernard De Los Reyes after they were told that they could no longer be accommodated.

Marvelosa Sinangote, a resident said, they queued since 8 a.m. under the heat of the sun and even brought their kids only to be told that they will no longer be entertained.

“Wala mi sultii na dha nalang diay sila kutob, cut-off na sila alas tres. Nahibaloan pa namo wa nalang mi mulungtad og linya after lunch,” Sinangote said.

She said they requested that their slips be marked with priority numbers for the next day so they will no longer have to line up. But De los Reyes said they cannot do that since there will surely be complaints for those who will be lining up again today.

Comelec registration of first-time voters and non-registered residents are scheduled from December 2 this year until December 15 next year in preparation for the 2010 elections.

Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said the city government is willing to help Comelec handle the registration and ordered Cebu City administrator Francisco Fernandez to coordinate with the Cebu City Comelec officials.

Rama said there is a need to put up metal railings near the Comelec Cebu City office located along Osmeña Boulevard corner Lapu-Lapu Street.

“There’s no problem, we are ready to help the Comelec with their needs just to ensure a peaceful and orderly registration of voters,” Rama said.

Fernandez said the City will be putting up tents, chairs and deploying street sweepers in the said areas.

The Comelec en banc ruled to adopt biometric technology for the purpose of “establishing a clean, complete, permanent and updated list of voters.”

At least one Data Capturing Machine will be deployed in every Comelec office to facilitate the registration.

Any Filipino citizen who is at least eighteen years of age and a resident of the country for at least a year, and in the place where he proposes to vote, for at least six months on or before the day of the election, may register to vote.

Deactivated voters may also apply for reactivation of their registration records during the period prescribed. –Ferliza C. Contratista and Rene U. Borromeo/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)