The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has just announced that the source codes for the voting machines to be used in the May 13 Philippine mid-term elections are available for perusal. In compliance with election law, the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine codes may now be reviewed by any interested groups, including political parties with huge stakes on the upcoming polls. According to COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes the sources codes have already been reviewed by SLI Global Solutions and they have certified that they are secure and accurate. This process is necessary in establishing credibility, according to Chairman Brillantes.
Government posts to be filled
There are 18,053 elective posts to be filled in the mid-term general elections – 12 seats in the Senate to be filled and 233 seats in the House of Representatives that await new occupants come June. In addition, 58 party list representatives will also be elected.
Provincial posts will also be filled. This year, there will be 80 new provincial governors and vice-governors and a total of 766 Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) members. City governments will also be having 143 city mayors and vice-mayors and 1,598 Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) members. One thousand four hundred ninety-one local government units (LGUs) will elect a new mayor and vice-mayor and 11,932 members of the Sangguniang Bayan (Town Council). In addition, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will also elect a Regional Governor and one Regional Vice-Governor.
Second automated elections
Incumbent Philippine President Benigno Aquino III pertains to the election process as the “bedrock of Philippine democracy” and urges the Filipino voters to take advantage of the opportunity to prepare themselves to vote and show up at the polls this coming Monday. Despite the optimistic air, there are many groups and individuals who have expressed their worry on the readiness and functionality of the PCOS machines that would accept ballots and tally votes. An absentee voting activity in Hong Kong that was witnessed by the COMELEC Chairman himself saw the voting machine malfunction and reject ballots. PCOS malfunctions have been noted in separate instances although local tests seem to have positive results. And until recently, those who keep a critical eye on the proceedings remind the COMELEC that they are still unclear on software issues that have been raised before. Should there be any glitches with the technology the COMELEC has no Plan B.
The Philippine National Police is all set
There is less than a week to go before the Filipino voting public visits polling precincts to vote for the national and local candidates of their choice. The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on full alert and has recently announced that it would deploy 21,885 men and women to ensure the security and safety of the election procedures. To augment those already in the field, the PNP would even send out personnel on desk jobs and those who are still on training to man checkpoints and conduct patrols and anti-criminal operations. The SAF (Special Action Force) of the PNP is a specialized unit that will follow a separate deployment plan.
There are 15 election hotspots in the country. Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the “Last Two Weeks” program (pertaining to the election) that requires full PNP operation not just on Election Day but for the whole duration of the election period as well. The police deployment has started on May 8 and the temporary detail is given a go with Special Orders.
President Aquino lauds military and police efforts
President Aquino has expressed satisfaction with the PNP’s preparations as well as the diligence and dedication shown by the PNP and the military or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in dealing with pertinent issues in the 15 election hotspots, particularly with regard to private armies and firearms.
Both in recognition of the work done by Filipino law enforcers and in order to assure the public, the President said that law enforcers are currently investigating reported election-related crimes and acts of violence.
Election-related violence and violations
As of May 6, the PNP-DIDM (Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management) has identified 58 cases of suspected violent crimes related to the election. Based on the report, 35 of the 58 cases were fatalities. Fifty-one of these cases were shooting incidents have been documented. However, other reports put the number of victims of election violence at 70 individuals. The PNP has reported that there has been a 50% reduction in the death toll due to election-related violence compared to the presidential election of 2010.
There was one ambush that led to two deaths in a village in Lemery, Iloilo on Panay Island in the Visayas region. A suspect has been arrested for the crime. Political rivalries have intensified once more in the days leading to the election. The week before, 12 lives were lost and 10 were wounded after another ambush in Lanao del Norte in Mindanao.
May 13 declared official non-working holiday
The Philippines is just a few days away from a long election weekend. May 13, Monday, Election Day has been declared as a special non-working holiday throughout the Philippine archipelago. The announcement was made official on Wednesday. A statement released by the Office of the President in Malacañang stated that that this would enable Filipinos to “exercise their right to suffrage.”
Photo Credit: Philippine election corridors
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