Smartmatic wants $5 million for special polls

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Smartmatic-TIM is asking for a $5-million budget for the conduct of special automated elections in the first congressional district of Bulacan, in Lanao and other provinces in the country, a provincial election official said.

Lawyer Sabino Mejarito, Bulacan provincial election supervisor, told The STAR that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is still trying to negotiate with Smartmatic-TIM for the conduct of the special elections.

“The Comelec wants the $5-million budget that Smartmatic is asking to be reduced,” Mejarito said.

No guidelines have been issued for the conduct of special elections but officials said it might be held in September, or a month ahead of the barangay elections.

Mejarito said candidates for the first congressional district of the province have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) last Dec. 1.

He also said candidates for the rejected lone district of Malolos City can run instead for the first district.

The Supreme Court had declared as “unconstitutional” a law converting Malolos City into an independent congressional district from Bulacan, in effect invalidating candidacies for the lone district of Malolos City.

Malolos City has been reverted to the first congressional district of Bulacan composed of the towns of Bulakan, Hagonoy, Paombong, Pulilan and Calumpit.