Testing Automated Counting Machines in Harsh Environments
The automated counting machines need to undergo testing in extreme environments to ensure their durability during elections across the Philippines, said a leading cybercrime official. This suggestion came after reports revealed that over 200 machines had to be replaced due to malfunctions.
“Kung stress test ‘yan e di dalhin natin sa extreme environment ‘yan,” he emphasized, urging that the machines be subjected to real-world conditions before deployment.
He further explained, “Yung makina, nagkaroon ng stress test. Ang problema yung area, ginagawa yun kung saan malamig so hindi siya real environment sa polling place kaya pagdating sa polling place, iba ang nangyayari.” This means that although the machines undergo stress tests, these are often conducted in cold environments, which do not accurately reflect the typical conditions at polling sites. As a result, performance issues arise once the machines are taken to actual polling locations.
Environmental Factors Impacting Machine Performance
A national election watchdog also highlighted the importance of considering varying environmental factors when deploying the automated counting machines. “We have to watch yung environmental conditions ng ka-puluan, iba-iba yan. Yung init ng panahon that could impact the performance of the machine. Yung humidity dahil mataas ang humidity in some areas pati yung mga dust levels in and around the polling stations that could affect yung mga makina pati yung data,” the watchdog explained.
This means that differences in temperature, humidity, and dust levels across various regions could affect both the machines’ functionality and the accuracy of transmitted data.
Assessing Automated Counting Machines’ Election Performance
Despite at least 311 machine-related incidents reported during the recent elections, the overall performance of the automated counting machines was rated a seven out of 10 by election observers. The majority of issues stemmed from vote transmission rather than the machines themselves.
Meanwhile, election officials noted that the number of reported machine problems was relatively lower compared to previous national elections, indicating some improvement in reliability.
Ensuring that automated counting machines are tested in extreme environments and considering environmental factors will be vital for smoother elections ahead. For more election updates and related content, visit Filipinokami.com.