abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/06/2009 11:37 PM
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MANILA - Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and a US election expert on Friday said the Commission on Elections made the right choice in choosing precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines for the automation of the 2010 national elections.
Speaking via teleconference at the De La Salle University College of Law, Ritchie said the state of Minnesota has been using PCOS machines in elections for more than 20 years and not once have they questioned the results.
"The system you've chosen is a system we're very comfortable with and a system we trust in terms of security and ease of use. PCOS [machines] have a very high degree of accuracy and very trusted by citizens and gives high credibility. This is important in cases of close elections where we have to do count by hand," he said.
He said that while the actual count is automated, voters are still required to fill in the ballots that would be counted. This allows election officials to check the results with the actual copies of the ballots.
Prof. Rachel Smith, program director for the Excellence in Election Administration Center of the University of Minnesota, said that while PCOS machines are 99 percent accurate, poll officials should still safeguard the transfer of the machines and the actual ballots. She added that the memory cards should be sealed to prevent tampering.
"Memory card used [are] most vunerable to attack. It must be sealed inside voting system and check seals during transfers," she said also via teleconference.
Ritchie, meanwhile, said the success of an automated election ultimately depends on the vigilance of the Comelec and the support of the public.
Comelec officials, meanwhile, thanked the guest speakers for backing their decision to choose PCOS machines for next year's electoral exercise.
"It gives us a high level of confidence, the way they talked about trustworthiness and accuracy of the PCOS. It shows us we're on the right track because their system and our system are the same," Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said.
Who is this f#@kng guy meddling in our affairs. How mush did the Arroyo administration and operator paid this person to issue such endorsement. How many more person out of the country will be paid to issue such statements meddling our affair.
Submitted by Toink on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 10:45.Don't label me I am original!
FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY
VOTE FOR A REAL MAN
BAYANI IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT.ACTION IS LOUDER THAN VOICE.MMFF is so cheap allegations.We are not depending him but its cheap.
noynoy is the best candidate for COJUANGCO COUNTRY.What is his plan to give justices to all victims of luisita massacre?What is his plan to bring back the rights of Filipino in SABAH AND SPRATLY ISLAND?What is hiis plan to stop money laundering in china?What is his plan to prove their hacienda bought in Philippine government?What is his plan to all domestic helper?What is his plan to all promise of his mother to give Filipino people jobs and cheaper living?
teodoro is the best candidate for COJUANGCO COUNTRY.Same questions like noynoy
escudero is the best candidate for COJUANGCO COUNTRY.Same questions like noynoy.
villar is the best candidate for realtor.more flooding,landslide and alabang mall is former public cementery for poor FILIPINO.Are you going to pay all the taxes and natural resources?
erap is the best candidate for gambling,drugs and plundering.Are you going to surrender all the money and mansions to the Philippine government?
We are so upset to all celebrities to endorse noynoy or other politicians.Please don't watch or buy their movies and shows ,if they are wrong.
Now it boils down to the integrity of the individuals entrusted to guard and manned the Machines..but considering that these people vouching the Comelec choice may not had a problem with Election issues even before the advent of modern machinery. I too used to witness elections done fully Manual and now we are in our jurisdiction using the same system picked by Comelec where we marked our choice and everything done by the machines after ward, but when there is close contest where the Courts order recount by Manual counting there is always the Ballots to go back to. In both Scenarios there were no issues of cheating, the later just make it quicker and convenient for everyone, that four hours or less after the polls closed, everyone can move on or prepare for the next election.
Submitted by josh 5 on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 00:38.
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