Vote-counting machines for 2019 polls to undergo source code review next week

The vote-counting machines (VCMs) that will be used in the 2019 midterm elections will undergo a source code review by local experts, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez.

Interviewed on Unang Balita on Monday, Jimenez said the review will help ensure the integrity of the machines for the upcoming elections.

"Yung local source code review will probably start next week, that's where local experts will be able to look at the source codes ng ating makina para masiguro nila na walang daya," he said.

Like in previous elections, Comelec will run the VCMs bought from Smartmatic while the company will have minimum involvement in the upcoming polls.

"Yung papatakbo ng makina ng halalan kami talaga ever since, pero yung role ng Smartmatic mas maliit pa kesa dati," Jimenez said. "Parang customer support."

The machines will observe the 25-percent shading threshold policy as it had in the 2016 elections.

Jimenez, in the same interview, also said the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law will not affect the election calendar.

"Ang sure tayong magkakaroon ng plebisito ay yung sa BOL. Pero hindi naman yun makakaapekto sa 2019 elections," he said.

More than a million individuals registered to vote in a three-month period. The Comelec expects some 61 million voters to cast their ballots next year. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News