Comelec to hold procurement summit, internet voting demo

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will conduct a procurement summit and internet voting demonstration this month.

In a statement on Friday, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco announced that the poll body will hold its first Procurement Summit from July 17 to 18 to ensure transparency, accountability, and access for the private sector to the bidding opportunities of the commission.

This is also intended to strengthen the link between the bidders and the procurement process, he added.

Among the topics that will be discussed are the general principles in government procurement, market analysis, participation in bidding activities, contract performance, and other procurement-related matters for the Comelec’s Bids and Awards Committee, Infrastructure Bids and Awards Committee, and Special Bids and Awards Committee.

Laudiangco said invitations were already sent to all suppliers, service providers, consultants, and contractors who have already joined or who intend to participate in bidding opportunities with Comelec.

Participation in the event is free of charge, he said.

The poll body is also set to conduct an Internet Voting Demonstration for the 2025 National and Local Elections on July 11 at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila. 

Laudiangco said service providers, namely Miru, Smartmatic, Dermalog, Indra, E-Corp, Tambuli Labs, Voatz, and Thales, will present their proposals at the event.

He also disclosed that the Comelec and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) signed a memorandum of agreement on July 6 for the re-establishment of the local field registration centers for overseas voting within the CFO’s premises.

After the MOA signing, Comelec Chairman George Garcia, CFO Secretary Romulo Arugay, and CFO Undersecretary Valery Joy Brion inaugurated the Field Registration Center at the CFO Main Office in Paco, Manila.

As of July 6, Laudiangco said the running total was 46,442, covering applications for overseas voting since December 9, 2022. — VBL, GMA Integrated News