Press Release
January 5, 2009

Gordon laments uncertain status of poll automation for May 2010

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon today lamented that the full automation of the country's election, notably for the May 2010 presidential elections, remains uncertain despite the law that mandates the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to implement it.

Gordon, author of Republic Act (RA) 9369, said the fate of poll automation remains hanging because the Comelec has yet to submit a supplemental budget for Congress' swift action, thereby pave the way for its full implementation for the May 2010 elections.

"Right now, it isn't clear whether automation is possible for the 2010 elections since there is no supplemental budget yet submitted by the Comelec to Congress," said the former co-chairman of the joint congressional oversight panel on the automated election system.

"Automating our elections signals that we are taking steps towards truly modernizing our democracy. It would be a great misfortune if the automation will not push through unless a supplemental budget is submitted to and acted by Congress," he added.

Gordon had been batting for full poll automation in May 2010 as it would ensure a clean, honest and credible election that would finally bring closure instead of further causing division in the country.

He added the present manual system belongs back in the 18th century, being archaic, open to abuse, and the long period it takes to get results encourages "dagdag-bawas" and other forms of electoral fraud.

Gordon also pointed out that it is for the best interest of the poll body to ensure the full automation of the 2010 elections because it will help them redeem themselves from waning public trust and confidence on them and the electoral exercises.

"The full automation of the 2010 elections is a game-changer because it will not only elevate the country's electoral exercise from third to first world class but also erase public suspicion that the Filipino people's sacrosanct votes would be stolen from them," he said.

"The automation sends a strong signal that massive cheating that often marred the country's electoral exercises would no longer be easily carried out. It would also discourage malfeasance within the Comelec," he added.

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