ELECTIONS chairman George Garcia yesterday urged the public against getting their hopes high that the automation of the 2025 synchronized elections would cure all the ills of the country’s elections system.
In an interview, Garcia said the introduction of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count (FASTrAC) project does not mean that previous election setbacks will no longer surface during the 2025 polls.
Garcia pointed out that “there are many other issues outside the machines. The machine is just a good start, but it is not enough to have new machines and new technology.”
He stressed voters are the key to ensuring the smooth flow of the polls. “Having a clean and orderly elections is not solely dependent on the voting machines, but also with the people,” he said.
He added: “We have several irregularities outside the machines that need to be monitored and requires resolution.”
The Comelec last week declared the joint venture of Miru Systems Co Ltd, Integrated Computer Systems, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Centerpoint Solutions Technologies, Inc. (MIRU-ICS-STCC-CPSTI) as the winning bidder for the FASTrAC project.
The poll chief said the Comelec will still need to monitor numerous election-related issues, among them vote buying and intimidation of voters and Electoral Board members.
“These cannot be solved by the machines because the machines are limited to what you put inside it for it to read,” Garcia said.
Garcia also pointed at election-related violence and presence of private armed groups as critical poll concerns.
“There is always violence (during elections). Despite all our efforts, violence is always there,” he said.
MIRU
Poll watchdog Democracy Watch Philippines (DWP) yesterday pressed the Comelec to answer their questions on the previous performances of Miru Systems in electoral exercises in other countries, stressing that it is imperative for the poll body to prove to the public the credibility and capabilities of the South Korean firm.
“Officials, experts, and citizens alike are still on standby for an exhaustive explanation from Miru, alongside the Comelec’s Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) and Technical Working Group (TWG), to address the growing concerns brought to light by independent observers,” said Zaragoza.
“The continued silence serves only to fuel rumors, suggesting that these unresolved issues are indeed valid. It is a matter of principle that decisions of this magnitude are steered by solid facts and transparency, rather than lingering doubts and shrouded in mystery,” he also said.
In particular, the group cited “alarming” reports of alleged voting delays, chaos, and severe erosion of public trust that attended the 2023 elections in Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
DWP has previously said that Miru’s technology reportedly malfunctioned in a staggering 70 percent of voting stations on day one of the recent Iraqi elections.
Similarly, the group had also claimed that as much as 45.1 percent of the Miru-supplied machines in DRC supposedly experienced breakdowns and technical errors.
“The hurried move to finalize the contract without sufficiently addressing these key concerns has led to a troubling veil of skepticism looming over the entire selection operation,” said the poll watchdog.
“This could put the future of Philippine elections in danger, given the company’s precarious performance in other countries,” added Zaragoza.
In response, Garcia said the Comelec would welcome any questions on their decision to tap Miru Systems before the Supreme Court.
“Anybody can question our decision before the SC,” said Garcia in a Viber message, as he stressed that the poll body will not lose its focus on its preparations for the May 2025 elections.
“We will focus now on the drafting of the contract with the joint venture company and ensure that the best interest of the nation is upheld on each and every provision thereof,” he said.
“Our timelines are so tight, hence, focus and determination are important. We cannot be disrupted with our preparations for the 2025 electoral exercises no matter how well-meaning the intentions are of certain groups or individuals,” he also said.
