Back to manual vote count? Comelec says no reason to avoid automated elections

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia on Friday said there is no reason to avoid the conduct of computerized elections after a group proposed reverting to manual vote count.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Garcia pointed out the conduct of computerized elections is based on existing laws.

“Maganda po yung proposal pero sa kasalukuyan po dahil yan naman po yung umiiral nating batas, tayo ay magko-computerized ng election.” he said.

(The proposal is good but right now this is the existing law that we have to conduct computerized elections.)

“Sa kasalukuyan po, wala naman pong nakikita ang Comelec upang ating iwasan ang pagko-computerized ng election. Nagiging maayos naman po ang lahat ng preparasyon natin,” he added.

(So far, the Comelec has not monitored any reasons to avoid the conduct of automated elections. All of our preparations have been good so far.)

Garcia made the statement when asked about the suggestion of National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) to return to manual vote counting at precincts for transparency.

On Thursday, the Comelec said it will review its contract with Smartmatic Inc. after an alleged security breach on the system of the service provider for the 2022 elections.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who is running for vice president in the upcoming elections, earlier said a Smartmatic employee involved in the alleged security breach is now under the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Smartmatic Inc. has assured the public that the elections will remain 100% safe and secure despite an supposed security breach. —KBK, GMA News