Automated Counting Machines Performance Rated
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) rated the performance of the automated counting machines (ACM) a seven out of 10, highlighting that the transmission of votes posed a bigger challenge. “Overall system ng ACM ay seven, dahil malaking problema actually ‘yung transmission. Kung ipunin natin ‘yung problema sa ACM, it does not compare to the problem with the transmission,” explained NAMFREL’s national chairperson during a forum.
This means that while the automated counting machines themselves performed fairly well, the main issue arose in the transmission of results. “Yung problema sa transmission, nandyan ‘yung election results na kung hindi natin maibibigay sa publiko, malaking katanungan na naman ‘yan. Many are likely to speculate na cheating ‘yan,” he added, stressing the critical nature of transparent vote transmission.
Transmission Issues Spark Concerns
On the day following the elections, media outlets noticed inconsistencies in the partial and unofficial results displayed on the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) media server. Despite the increasing number of election returns (ERs), some vote counts showed a drop, which raised alarms.
Further investigation revealed that transmissions sent by precincts were duplicated during the consolidation process on Comelec’s server. This duplication caused discrepancies in the reported numbers.
The election commission clarified that these issues stemmed from the absence of a program to filter out duplicate data during processing. Despite this, the Comelec chairperson assured the public that no vote shaving or padding occurred.
Automated Counting Machines and Technical Glitches
The automated counting machines deployed in the midterm elections generally performed well, although some glitches were reported. These technical problems caused long queues in several precincts as machines slowed down or temporarily stopped working.
In response, the election commission replaced 311 machines that experienced minor issues to ensure smoother operations. This proactive approach helped maintain the overall integrity of the election process.
Positive Shift in Election Commission’s Approach
NAMFREL’s chairperson also praised the election commission’s openness to feedback and improvement. “Talagang nagbago ang attitude ng Comelec. Bukas na bukas sila sa suggestion and recommendation,” he said, highlighting the more receptive stance of the commission compared to previous elections.
This change indicates a growing commitment to transparency and efficiency, which are essential for strengthening public trust in the automated counting machines and the election system overall.
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