THE first five hours of the May 13 polls was marred by numerous reports of PCOS glitches across different regions, thus raising the question of whether or not the country was really prepared for clean and efficient automated elections, according to ROCKTHEVOTE Philippines.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared that 94 precincts reported PCOS glitches, but reports indicated that 94 is a very conservative figure. In Lipa City, Batangas, 95 percent of PCOS machines do not work, while four precincts in Baguio City declared “failure of elections.”
Reports of glitches came mostly from the Southern Tagalog region. At Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, voting was stopped at 9:50 a.m. after the PCOS rejected four ballots consecutively. Meanwhile, in several precincts at Sto. Tomas, Batangas, at least three PCOS machines malfunctioned. Only one PCOS machine was working at Indang, Cavite, while some PCOS machines shut down after a power outage in Dasmariñas.
“The actual observations only confirmed what poll watchdog groups have been saying all along. The Comelec, while declaring that the areas are ready for automated elections, clearly had lapses in terms of preparation and ensuring that PCOS machines are functioning well. This is not to mention the problems with the source code and transmission, “ said Pauline Gidget Estella, spokesperson of Rock The Vote Philippines, a network of youth advocates for clean and responsive elections.
There were reports of last minute vote-buying and distribution of election propaganda as well. In District 1 of Quezon City, candidates Rita Crisologo and Boy Calalay allegedly gave out at least P200 to voters at Brgy. Bungad, according to an informant.
In Cebu, at least 12 individuals were arrested for vote-buying.
In a precinct at Merida Leyte, four men on camouflage carrying a .45 calibre pistol and an armalite were arrested.