Group wants PCOS machines, poll materials to remain in Laguna warehouse

A poll watchdog has asked the Supreme Court to bar the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from moving all election equipment and materials used in the May 2013 elections out of the Laguna warehouse where they are being stored.

The Automated Elections System (AES) Watch, in a petition-in-intervention, expressed fears that the "security, integrity, and genuineness of the machines, software, paraphernalia, and stored data would be at risk of being compromised" if the poll body transfers the equipment without giving assurance that the accuracy of the counting machines and softwares would not be "manipulated, lost or rendered irretrievable during the preparations to transfer, during transit, and during their storage and relocation in any new storage or warehouse facility."

The counting machines and other poll-related equipment are currently stored at a warehouse in Cabuyao, Laguna, but the petitioners alleged that the Comelec has "repeatedly indicated" it would relocate the equipment and paraphernalia to a new but yet undisclosed facility.

The petitioners stressed the need to preserve the integrity of the machines, softwares, and other poll materials because they supposedly contain evidence that could prove that the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines and softwares used in last May's polls were "defective, obsolete, ang lacking essential upgraded software."

The AES Watch said the Comelec cannot relocate the poll materials without the approval of various electoral tribunals and without proof that their security, integrity, and genuineness would not be compromised.

"The fundamental importance of safeguarding the original condition of the election materials as crucial evidence in the pending election protest cases is demonstrated by numerous failures of the Comelec to ensure fair and honest elections," the group said.

In its petition, the group also asked the Supreme Court to direct the Comelec to facilitate a "collaborative independent review" by concerned political parties and poll watchdogs.

The group said all primary and back-up compact flash cards, audit logs, passwords and programs should also be included in the review. It also asked the high court to allow it to participate in a pending case filed by former Sen. Richard Gordon against the Comelec.

Gordon, in a petition, has asked the SC to compel the Comelec to allow political groups to open and review the source code in the counting machines.

A source code is the set of instructions to be followed by the computerized voting machine, and is written by computer programmers in a readable symbolic language. — Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News