By MARK JOSEPH UBALDE
EXCEPT for several areas that have yet to test the counting machines and other “isolated cases,” the Commission on Elections said on Sunday that the first-ever automated polls will push through in 98 percent of the precincts in the country.
Comelec Chair Jose Melo said the 2 percent that are still not ready for the elections on Monday have experienced problems with the compact flash (CF) card delivery, precinct clustering and recent poll-related attacks.
The Comelec projects that less than a million voters will be affected.
“In case the 2 percent will not be met, there are already contingency plans set,” Melo said.
In Luzon, about 98 to 99 percent of all precincts from Batanes to Sorsogon have tested the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines with the new CF cards. Several vote scanning and counting machines experienced errors in a test-run last week due to faulty CF cards.
A town in Nueva Vizcaya has reported problems with the iButton of the PCOS machine. A replacement for the iButton, which allows the election officers to access the PCOS menu, have been flown via helicopter to the area, said Cesar Flores, president of Smartmatic Inc.
Testing of PCOS machines is still ongoing in one precinct in Ilocos Norte and Nueva Ecija. CF cards have yet to reach Tineg town in Abra, the Comelec added.
In Visayas, the town of Villalobos in Northern Samar the new CF cards are still being delivered, delaying the PCOS testing. Melo said the delivery of the cards in some areas is taking some time since the precincts are too far away.
“The CF cards are already out in the field. It’s no longer with the Comelec,” he added.
Melo assured that the five PCOS machines burned by armed men in Iloilo on Saturday are now being replaced. The incident is being investigated by police.
“I think and hope that it was just an isolated incident. The replacement machines are already on their way and the Philippine National Police is assessing the issue,” he said.
About 70 to 75 percent of the precincts in Maguindanao are all set for the automated polls. More than 20 percent of the precincts in the area are still having difficulty with the clustering, Melo said. Two towns in Camiguin are still testing the machines.
Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento also said the PCOS machine snatched and destroyed by supporters of a local candidate in Buldon town in Maguindanao are now being replaced. The vote scanning and counting machine was being delivered by election inspectors to the precinct around Sunday noon when the incident happened.
The Comelec had earlier placed the entire Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao under its control.
Don’t be scared, bought
Despite the pockets of disturbances in several precincts, Melo was optimistic that there would be a good turnout of voters for the national elections.
While Sarmiento said the turnout could go up to 70 to 80 percent on Monday, Melo said he would be happy if half of the 50 million registered voters participated on Monday.
Melo reminded the voters to be prepared for the elections.
“Huwag kayong magpatakot, huwag kayong magpabili (Don’t be scared, don’t be bought),” he added.