ARMM ELECTION: Filing of certificates of candidacy starts

The filing of certificates of candidacy for the Aug. 11 elections in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) began yesterday, signaling the start of the election period in the region.

The Commission on Elections said the period for the filing would last until May 20. This developed as Comelec chairman Jose Melo noted that they might explore the possibility of having two companies supplying the optical mark reader (OMR) machines in case they both pass the requirements.

Melo said that Avanti International had already met the standards they set for automating the ARMM polls after three trials but its rival Active Business Solution  had appealed to be given a chance to correct their deficiency.

“ABS said that since Avanti was allowed to do three trials, they must also be given a chance to correct (its deficiency),” he hinted in a telephone interview.  ABS was conducting its third demonstration before poll officials yesterday.