MANILA: The Commission on Elections is reluctant to hold another mock elections to test the integrity of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines because participants are not taking the initiative seriously, an official told the joint congressional oversight committee on automated elections yesterday.
Responding to a query posed by Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares whether the agency will have another mock elections, Comelec executive director Jose Tolentino Jr explained that the agency has not made a decision because participants “make a mockery” out of the mock elections.
“The discussion is, why should we conduct another simulation when the participants only make a mockery out of it? Like putting a smiley, putting one big line out of the ovals just to find out if the machine will read it,” Tolentino said. He also added that the commissioners are still divided whether the poll body should have another mock polls before the May elections.
Tolentino noted that even when the Comelec conducted simulation exercises in the House of Representatives, the participants tested how the PCOS machines would determine ovals which are not fully shaded.
During the hearing, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated his call to the Comelec to ensure the integrity of the counting and canvassing of votes following reports of errors during the mock elections last month.
Tolentino revealed that the Comelec will still test the integrity of the PCOS machines “not earlier seven days before elections, and not later than three years before (the polls).
The Philippine Star
