DESPITE delays in the release of its final list of voters, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said its preparations for the 2019 midterm polls are already 90-percent complete.
In a press conference, Comelec Spokesman James B. Jimenez said they were able to successfully set up the automated election system (AES) to be used for the May 13 elections. Aspirants for the Senate, House of Representatives and all local government units except the barangay have filed certificates of candidacy with the Comelec.
Though Jimenez acknowledged the delayed release in the final list of voters, he added, “But you know in terms of the logistics, in terms of the structures, and partnerships—all of those are falling into place.”
On Saturday, Comelec was able to test both the software and hardware components of the AES during a nationwide mock polls in 60 polling precincts.
The mock polls include the pilot testing of the Voter Registration Verification System (VRVS), which aims to reduce the identify checks for voters.
“So as far as being an evaluation tool is concerned, [the initial outcome] of the mock election is very good,” Jimenez said.
He did admit, however, there were still some minor problems—as observed during the activity—including the low turnout of voters in some areas and the lag in the blue tooth system of the VRV machines.
As of Saturday noon, all of the mock poll results, except for those in three areas in Metro Manila, had already been sent to the transparency server of the Comelec at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center in Paco, Manila.
The transmission of the result of polling precincts in Region 9 was slightly delayed because of cloud cover in the area, but was later completed before 1 p.m.
Ballot printing
Jimenez said the only remaining aspect of the 2019 polls they have to complete is the printing of around 61 million ballots, a task which relies on the release of the final list of voters.
“We hope it [final list] comes out next week…. As you very well know, it is the last 10 percent that takes forever,” Jimenez said.
The Comelec was originally scheduled to release the final list on December 15, 2018, before the tentative date for the printing of the 2019 midterm ballots from January 23 to 25 this year.
The poll body was forced to postpone it multiple times due to pending disqualification cases of some of the candidates.
Aside from the delay in the release of the list, he said the printing of the ballots could face yet more delays due to the ongoing construction in the National Printing Office (NPO), where the ballots will be printed.
“Our printing committee is assessing it this weekend. If they will see the construction will not cause dust, then we will proceed [with the printing]. Otherwise it may be delayed by a maximum of five days,” Jimenez said.
He explained the reason for the concern: the dust from the construction activity could affect the vote counting machines they will use to verify the ballots.
“This is the tedious part [of the ballot production] because each ballot will be fed to the machine…the dust might disrupt the verification machine,” Jimenez said.
Jimenez earlier said that as long as the date of printing of ballots proceeds as scheduled, their preparations for the 2019 polls will still be on time.