Comelec to test touchscreen technology for 2016 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday announced its plan to pilot-test the usage of touchscreen technology for the 2016 national elections, which could make voting as easy as using a tablet computer.

 

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. told reporters at the sidelines of the budget hearing that the agency plans to pilot-test the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) voting technology in some areas for the next presidential polls to determine the feasibility of its usage in the 2019 or 2022 elections.

 

“We’re going to have the OMR (Optical Machine Reader) and we’ll pilot the DRE [in 2016]. The DRE is a totally different technology from the OMR. Wala itong paper trail although may lalabas pa ring resibo… Parang ipad lang tapos [may lalabas] na resibo,” he said.

 

OMR technology powers the existing Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines used in the 2010 and 2013 polls. The Comelec plans to use a mix of current and new PCOS machines for the 2016 elections.

 

According to Brillantes, at least 5 to 10 DRE voting machines need to be placed in each precinct to enable voters to cast their votes smoothly. The Comelec will determine the areas where the new technology can be pilot-tested depending on the budget it will receive for 2015.

 

The polling body is seeking a budget of P36 billion for next year but the Department of Budget and Management has only allotted P16.9 billion for it in the proposed 2015 national budget. — TJD, GMA News