Abalos cool to Gordon’s ‘Botong Pinoy’ technology

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not convinced by the offer to use the so-called "Botong Pinoy" technology which was proposed by Sen. Richard Gordon for possible implementation of the partial automated polls during the May 14 elections.

"A free technology does not mean it’s the appropriate and best system," Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said in reaction to proposals to use the Filipino-developed technology.

Information technology company Mega Data Corp. earlier said that despite the financial and time constraints, the Comelec can use the software-based poll automation system known as Botong Pinoy.

The system, which is being promoted by Sen. Richard Gordon, only requires personal computers that are commonly used in schools and government offices and can be easily borrowed by the Comelec for the elections.

Botong Pinoy was among the different technologies evaluated by the Comelec for possible use in the coming elections. It provides an end-to-end election system or from voting, counting, canvassing to transmission and consolidation and recount.

Abalos said it would be the advisory council which will select the appropriate technology to use as well as the decision whether the poll automation can be implemented or not. — Mayen Jaymalin