It’s final: No Namfrel count

The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) will no longer conduct its independent quick-count in next year’s general elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said the seven-member Comelec sitting en banc is inclined to uphold its previous decision not to allow Namfrel to conduct the "Operation Quick Count" that has been part of electoral exercises in the Philippines for two decades.

"We will no longer allow them (to conduct a quick count) because the poll body is now capable of doing (a) quick count on its own," Abalos said in an interview.

Namfrel filed a petition for reconsideration of the Comelec’s decision not to accredit it to conduct quick-count operations.

However, the Comelec permitted Namfrel to participate in the public information and voters’ education campaigns that precede the 2004 elections.

"We will not accredit them anymore because they can’t do it faster than us," Abalos said, adding that Namfrel should be happy about the poll body’s decision.

"They should be happy because Comelec was able to improve itself and (is) sparing them the quick count," he said. "We would no longer bother them, because we can do it on our own."

Abalos dismissed the Namfrel warning that massive cheating may take place in the coming elections because of the government’s failure to computerize all polling precincts nationwide.

Although the computerized counting of ballots will only take place in selected areas, Abalos said the Comelec is undertaking the appropriate measures to ensure clean and orderly elections.

The poll body chief also urged Namfrel to give information to the Comelec so problems may be avoided during the 2004 elections.

Abalos updated President Arroyo and the Cabinet on the status of the Comelec computerization program.

The President issued a statement expressing her confidence that the Comelec will be able to carry out its mandate to ensure clean, honest and peaceful elections.

"We are confident that the remaining months before the elections would give ample time for the Comelec to iron out possible glitches in the automated system," she said.

"We have to point out that an honest, orderly and peaceful election is not only the responsibility of the Comelec or any government agency, but (of) the entire citizenry," the President said.

The first batch of automated counting machines (ACMs) purchased using the P3-billion poll modernization fund arrived in August.

The President also assuaged fears that a failure of elections would result from any breakdown in the new computerized poll system.

"It is good to have a critical mind about a system that is being tried for the first time, but let us not cry doomsday without giving it a chance," she said.

The President said election watchdogs like Namfrel should continue to volunteer their services in the conduct of free and honest elections in the country.

"Namfrel has led the way and it must continue to do so," she said.