Elections

Going manual again in 2010

There is a big possibility that the 2010 elections will go manual. This developed after the local counterpart has withdrawn its participation in the consortium. This latest development was shared by the Commissions on Elections on Monday.

Comelec Chairman Jose Melo relayed the information to reporters after the Chair met with the representatives of the Total Information Management Corp. The company is the local counterpart of the Smartmatic International from Barbados. Pressed for the reason why the local counterpart has withdrawn its participation, Chairman Melo said that the representative of the Total Information Management Corp cited irreconcilable differences as reasons for the pullout. A person privy to the talks said that the lack of funds and also unpreparedness are the main reasons why the local counterpart will not push through with the plan.

In an Inquirer report, the source said that the TIM will need 300 million to meet the 700 million-share as needed for a partner. The local company needs to raise this amount so that the papers can be issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in order for the project to push through. Still, there were some questions about the reasons forwarded by the local counterpart, since the source added that the local company could have applied for a loan to cover the needed amount.

Chairman Melo could not hide is disappointment when informed of the status of the automation project. In fact the Chair said that he may file criminal and civil charges against the firm. With the firm out of the picture, then the chance of the country hosting its national elections in an automated manner is slim. But though the local counterpart is out of the picture, then this doesn’t mean that the COMELEC is forgetting its plans to have an automated elections in 2010. Chairman Melo added that his office will still look at other available options in order to pursue the electronic voting. The office may hold another bidding process where the losing bidders can take part once again. It is against national procurement laws for the Smartmatic to form another joint venture. But the question is this; is there enough time for this kind of plan?