Poll automation dead — Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has shelved plans for automated elections in selected areas next year because of the failure of Congress to pass a measure authorizing computerized polls.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said automation of voting and canvassing is no longer possible in next year’s elections.

"Prudence dictates that we will not automate the elections," Abalos said after a closed-door meeting with poll officials yesterday.

He said the Comelec has approved the recommendation of the advisory council to defer plans of holding computerized elections next year.

The advisory council includes representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Computer Society Foundation (PCSF), Information and Technology Foundation of the Philippines and the University of the Philippines College of Engineering.

They said there is no more time to prepare for fully automated elections.

The council was tasked to select the appropriate counting machines but deferred the effort since Congress had failed to pass the measure authorizing the computerized elections.

Full automation means computerized voting, counting, canvassing, transmission of election results and recount.

Even after the bicameral conference committee approved amendments on the proposed computerized election system law, Abalos said the Comelec has yet to see the enactment of the measure that will authorize poll automation for next year’s midterm elections.

"The Congress has already adjourned without passing the proposed measure," Abalos said.

He pointed out that in the absence of the law, Comelec cannot proceed with the preparations for poll automation in selected 12 cities and provinces in the country.

But if Congress would be able to pass the measure next year, Abalos said the Comelec can still proceed on the electronic transmission of the results of the 2007 polls.

Abalos, however, gave assurance that the Comelec is right on track in its preparations for the holding of manual elections next year.