THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday announced that it has approved the early installation of the transmission devices to be used during the May 12 elections.
In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they have authorized their service provider, iOne Resources Joint Venture, to begin installing the transmission devices, including the Starlink units.
“Instead of April 15, we have allowed them to install the devices earlier,” said Garcia.
Meanwhile, the poll body designated Commissioner Noli Pipo as administrator of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte as well as representative of the poll body.
Last week, the Comelec en banc placed Datu Odin Sinsuat under Comelec Control after election officer Atty. Maceda L. Abo and her husband, Jojo Abo, were fatally shot on March 26.
“Pipo has experience in the field, as well as experience in the Bangsamoro as a former Regional Election Director (RED) there,” said Garcia.
The poll chief stressed that placing the municipality under Comelec Control will have minimal effect on the area, except in terms of peace and order.
“We will only focus on having zero violence, teachers and voters won’t get terrorized, and our elections will be held peacefully and orderly,” he added.
Resolution No. 11126 stated that it will exercise immediate and direct control and supervision over all national and local officials and employees required by law to perform election duties in the area.
It will also exercise full control and supervision over all national and local law enforcement agencies, as well as military officers, for the purpose of ensuring the conduct of free, peaceful, orderly, honest, and credible elections in the area.
Lastly, the Comelec Control allows it to revoke any issued Certificates of Authority (CA) or suspend the effectivity of all CAs to carry firearms in the area.
“For us, what is important is that when we conduct inspections starting April 15, those units and devices are there,” said Garcia.
And in installing the transmission devices, the poll chief reminded their service provider to practice transparency.
By this, he said, iOne should invite the public, the media, and election watchdogs when conducting the installation of devices.
“To the people, do not be surprised if there are people who will come to the schools to start installing these devices, including the Starlink,” said Garcia.
The move of the Comelec comes after some netizens questioned the deployment of election paraphernalia to a residential area in Davao City over the weekend.
The Comelec, however, explained that the questioned equipment is neither the automated counting machines nor the official ballots, but rather transmission devices.
The deployment and warehousing of transmission devices, the Comelec said, is under the responsibilities of iOne, and not the poll body.
