Elections peaceful, orderly despite glitches, Namfrel says 

The National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections said on Wednesday that the conduct of the 2016 elections is peaceful and orderly despite some glitches.

Interviewed over GMA News' 'Balitanghali', Namfrel secretary-general Eric Alvia said the conduct of the automated elections this year improved compared to the past two elections. 

“Mukhang maraming bagay na nagkaiba at bumuti. Nakita natin ana mabilis at mataas ‘yung transmission rate, magandang bagay po ‘yan,” Alvia said. 

Although there are some reported issues on stalling VCMs, Alvia lauded the Commission of Elections (Comelec) for an orderly conducted polls.

“In general we see that it was generally peaceful and orderly. It even changed the impression of some people who are anxious dahil baka magkaroon ng gulo. There are some isolated problems pero in general maganda ang pagpapatakbo,” he said. 

Alvia said the poll watchdog is now focusing on the conduct of tranmission of votes.

“Now we already have to data but we have to make sure that the data we are receiving are accurate,” he said.

As the citizen’s arm of the Comelec, Namfrel is tasked to facilitate the Random Manual Audit. 

The Comelec already identified 612 towns and cities where RMAs will be conducted. 

“Yung random manual audit na ginagawa ngayon ay para iassess kung tama ba ang bilang ng mga makina at wasto ba yung boto na nakikita natin,” Alvia said. 

He underscored the importance of the RMA to those positions where candidates are neck-and-neck, particularly in the vice-presidential race.

“We have to make sure that there are the votes are really correct and all accounted for. This is the best source for checking and audting… We are monitoring the transmission. Maganda po na tumaas ang transmission rate. ” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Namfrel executive also commended Comelec’s efforts to be transparent in this year’s polls. 

“Maganda po ito na pamamalakad ngayon dahil mas bukas na sila sa ideya na maging transparent at sa seguridad na i-maintain,” Alvia said. — APG, GMA News