Press Release
July 8, 2007

COMELEC URGED TO STUDY AUTOMATION OF
BARANGAY AND SK ELECTIONS ON A PILOT BASIS

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. (PDP-Laban) today urged the Commission on Elections to consider the possibility of pilot-testing of automated election project during the nationwide barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls scheduled on October 29 this year.

Pimentel said that if the pilot-testing of the automated system, including the vote-counting machines, is successful, it can be implemented in the 2010 presidential, congressional and local elections in wider areas of the country.

"The holding of the barangay and SK elections this year provides an opportunity to introduce automation in selected, pilot areas. Automation should get on the track now so that it will be ready for use in 2010," he said.

Pimentel also noted the stand of the Comelec that the twin elections should be held as scheduled this year and the assurance of Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya, Jr. that P2 billion is available to defray the expenses for this political exercise.

The Comelec has disagreed with the proposal of Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas to postpone the barangay and SK elections for the third time, that is on the first Monday of October, 2008.

The automation of the May 14, 2007 national and local elections in selected areas did not push through due to time constraints. This is prescribed under the law establishing an Automated Election System.

The law provides that automated voting and counting should be held in 12 areas ? two provinces, two cities and two municipalities each in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Pimentel said he is for automating the elections on a gradual basis, citing the experience of many countries in poll modernization.

"Automation is intended to eliminate cheating which has been the bane of our electoral process for generations. But automation alone cannot be expected to solve this age-old problem. The people should be made more conscious of the need to cleanse our electoral process of evil practices," he said.

Noting that the village and youth council polls are less than four months away, Pimentel said the Comelec should immediately resume preliminary activities for the automation project, specially the choice of the company that will undertake it.

Likewise, he urged members of the Senate and House of Representatives not to entertain the proposal to postpone the barangay and SK elections in the light of the adverse consequences that it will cause.

Pimentel said the overwhelming sentiment of the people is to go ahead with the elections so that they can remove the non-performing and abusive barangay and SK officials and elect a new set of officials who can do justice to their jobs and render faithful service to their communities.

He said it would be illogical to further defer the elections and extend the term of the overstaying village and youth council officials at the expense of the interest and welfare of their communities.

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