Poll commish tops DOST certification exam for PCOS machine operation

How hands-on can an election commissioner be when preparing for the automated overseas absentee voting process in the upcoming elections? Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Christian Robert Lim underwent, and passed, the training for the operation of precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for Board of Election Inspectors. “Commissioner Lim topped the DOST certification. So we have at least one commissioner that I know of who is technically and literally qualified to be a member of the BEI. Ganun siya kabihasa sa gamit ng PCOS,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Tuesday. Lim received the training and certification in Hong Kong, where he supervised the preparations for the automated overseas voting that will start on April 13. Others who received the training and certification were embassy officials who will man the conduct of polls. “Despite the training, of course, to test his knowledge, he voluntary submitted himself to DOST certification which he passed with flying colors,” said Jimenez. Voting in Hong Kong will be automated due to its large number of Filipinos who are registered to vote in the upcoming elections (83,118). Other countries where voting will be automated are Singapore (50,063 voters), Abu Dhabi (21,645), Dubai (55,842), Kuwait (30,468), and Saudi Arabia (30,238 in Jeddah and 53,396 in Riyadh). Poll chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. went to Singapore over the weekend to oversee preparations there. Three commissioners went to the Middle East: Grace Padaca and committee on overseas voting head Lucenito Tagle to Abu Dhabi and Elias Yusoph to Saudi Arabia. Jimenez said the preparations are going well with the hands-on supervision of the commissioners. “Specifically ang tine-train nila yung use of PCOS so medyo kumplikado at labor-intensive yung trabaho. May kasama pang DOST certification on-site,” he said. Asked if the other commissioners will undergo the DOST training, Jimenez said they are not required to take it because they will not be manning the PCOS during election day. In another development, the testing and sealing of PCOS machines in Riyadh was reset due to the delay in the release of the machines from Saudi Customs. In a notice dated April 8 and posted on the Comelec website, the Committee on Overseas Voting advised senatorial candidates, party-list organizations, political parties and accredited citizens' arms that the testing and sealing will be on April 19, 9 am in the Philippine Embassy, Umayyah Abu As Salat, Safarat Riyadh 11693, KSA. “You may send your official watchers to observe the proceedings,” the committee said. A total of 737,759 registered Filipino voters all over the world are expected to participate in the overseas voting. — BM, GMA News