11 IT firms keen on poll automation program

Eleven information technology (IT) companies have expressed their desire to handle the multibillion-peso automation program of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for next year’s midterm elections, an official disclosed yesterday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the companies have started to submit to the poll body "information" about their technology for evaluation.

Jimenez refused to identify the firms but noted that some of them come from Australia, India, Spain, Israel, Canada and United States.

He stressed that they would have to study their proposals first.

"We have to evaluate their proposals. We have to wait for the amendment (of the poll automation law). We also have to see if the technology fits Philippine setting," Jimenez said.

The majority of the companies propose end-to-end technology, which covers voting to counting to canvassing and recount.

They also introduced innovations like direct recording electronic (DRE) which involves the "touch screen technology" and Internet voting which allows voters to cast their votes through the Internet.

The automation machines earlier purchased by Comelec are equipped with optical media readers that can read the ballots through scanners.

Jimenez maintained that the Comelec has to ensure that whichever technology they choose would be applicable to the varying conditions and accessibility of Filipino voters. — Sheila Crisostomo