AN international delegation that visited the country last week said suspicions and the lack of trust fuel the public’s general anxiety over the 2010 automated elections.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to clarify and issue instructions on a range of outstanding issues — from addressing contingency planning, accessing automated election system source codes, to clarifying election day procedures, the group stated.
The delegation was composed of a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a former minister for justice of Ireland, and a former president of the New Zealand National Party among others. The visit, conducted from March 6 to 13, was organized by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that safeguards elections and promotes citizen participation in governments worldwide.
“There is still time for all participants to take appropriate steps to achieve democratic elections in May, but concerted efforts are required to increase transparency, build in needed safeguards, heighten security and develop public trust in the process,” it recommended.
Read the 11-page Pre-Election Assessment Report of the NDI here.