Comelec invites bets to witness PCOS testing

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Election 7 (Comelec) is inviting candidates, especially those who still have doubts on the operation of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine, to personally witness the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) today.

 The regionwide FTS will simultaneously take place today in polling precincts to test the accuracy of the PCOS machines, which will be used in next Monday’s elections.

 Lawyer Ferdinand Gujilde of the Comelec Cebu Provincial Office  said that they have sent notices to each candidate to send their watchers for the FTS this morning. But candidates themselves can also attend.

 â€œKaning FTS, crucial kaayo labi na sa mga nagduda. Diha makita sila na ang main memory card back to zero gyud,” said Gujilde.

He further explained 10 official ballots will be fed to the PCOS machine to test its accuracy.  Afterwards, any data that was entered will be erased while the memory card will be sealed.

 The watchers can identify if the memory card was tampered if on the day of the election, it has been opened.

 Gujilde said the watchers may sleep in the polling precincts if they want to make sure that the PCOS machines that no tampering will be done.

 Other regions including Metro Manila have scheduled their FTS on May 6, which according to reports, had encountered a number of glitches.

 But Gujilde said that the purpose of the FTS is to determine the concerns of the PCOS machines that they still need to address to make sure everything goes well on election day.

Gujilde said that the problems encountered in other areas during the FTS were only very minimal.

He added some Board of Election Inspectors encountered automatic shutting down of PCOS machines even if the electricity supply and back-up battery supply were functioning and this could be caused by the improper insertion of the memory.

“Gamay rana nga sipyat but dako na nahitabo,” Gujilde said.

Meanwhile, the Comelec is appealing to candidates all over the province to do their best to maintain a peaceful election.

 Cebu Comelec Provincial Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba reminded candidates not to take undue advantage against opposing candidates.

 â€œLet us maintain the principle that may the best man win. Whoever wins and whatever the result of the election, it truly is reflective of the will of the electorate,” Aba said.

 Aba said also called on supporters of candidates to refrain from disturbing the electoral process.

 Despite the number of alleged election-related violence, Aba said that they are still optimistic that Cebu will have a peaceful election. — (FREEMAN)