Smartmatic system can be applied for online local elections –company officials

Officials of the voting technology firm Smartmatic on Monday said its system can be applied for online voting in local elections in the Philippines.

Smartmatic was earlier tapped as a solution provider for the Commission on Elections' overseas online voting test runs.

"Yes, definitely. We have implemented transmission in the Philippines since the 2010 elections and our assessment is that our transmission is increasing in the election period," Fe Ordono, sales operations manager of Smartmatic, said in an online briefing.

Smartmatic telecom consultant Salvador Sosa agreed, adding that it would be more convenient for people who have difficulty getting to polling stations.

"The use of internet voting, especially in complex elections, will help some people who cannot go to their polling stations," said Sosa.

Asked if their online system could still work with minimal internet data, Sosa said Smartmatic's online voting system uses minimal data because it has no "heavy graphics."

"It is very convenient, not really linked to any OS (operating system) and specific program. Mode of data is really really small," said Sosa.

Minimal errors

Based on the presentation, Smartmatic's test run recorded 10 out 426 voters who had issues with the online system.

According to Smartmatic, 60% needed to check spam folders for the credentials of their e-mail, 20% needed help with verification, while 20% had issues with their computer.

Ordono said their system was "friendly" because 98% were able to vote under technical assistance. — DVM, GMA News