Election system, not yet perfect

The electronic counting this recent election manifested the lack of time given Smartmatic to test the
machines by the quality inspectors. When given the contract it was already too close to Election Day;
hence, the quality performance of the machine was not fully tested.
From reports seen in the television it could be perceived the machine has no built-in fan to cool
the system. Once overheated it bogged down. The failure of some memory cards to function manifested
the absence of pre-testing in the factory.
However, the overall result of the election could be rated 90%. Anyway, that was the first time the
machines were put to test. With all the imperfections, come next Election Day, those machines could be
upgraded to serve its real purpose; eliminate cheating during the counting of the ballots and the delay in
transmitting the results.
Dishonesties were displayed by unscrupulous persons during the Election Day. It may not be
called cheating, but a dirty trick just to covet an honorable seat by dishonorable candidates.
By the use of the black ink supposed to mark the index finger of the voter. The trick is to pay the
opponent’s supporter, marking with the blank ink to escape going to the polling precinct. It is a minus vote
for the opponent.
By the use of fake black ink with connivance by the member of the Board of Election Inspectors
(BEI); which ink could easily be removed and the crooked voter to cast another vote using the names of
the registered dead elector or some other names of persons who have not yet cast their votes. Have you
seen a woman who denounced in front of the television camera how her name was shown to have been
used by a devious person; which the BEI may know or innocently allowed someone to vote for her
instead. It is one flaw in the system, because the person was not required to present any identity to prove
ownership of the name in the list of voters.
In this city at Barangay Tongonan, another kind of unprincipled act was committed by a member
of the Lupon Tagapamayapa Elias Ascura who along with his wife Evelyn Ascura distributed the more
than 900 priority numbers in contrary to the Comelec instruction to issue 40 numbers only. The unethical
distribution of 900 numbers was done by giving to the supporters of the Liberal Party and KAABAG the
lowest numbers. Some of the numbers below 100 were recycled outside the school premises.
When supporters of the two parties joined the line, the priority number given is below 200; though
at the same time a non-supporter was given the number above 500. There are more than 900 registered
voters in this community. Brgy. Kagawad Rogelio N. Potoy was given the priority number 718, but was
able to have it exchange with number 686 taken by his wife Ebelinda Potoy. Brgy. Kagawad Periander R.
Baňez number was 586.
What effect the dishonorable trick of giving priority numbers to their party mates have? Well, it
affected those could not withstand the long waiting period that they went home and no longer exercised
their right of suffrage. That is where the dirty trick became successful. The supporters of the other parties
no longer cast their votes to the advantage of the parties supported by the unscrupulous persons. The
BEIs did not allow voters to enter unless the room was already cleared, so, it caused much delay. It is a
strategy that supporters of their political opponents could not cast their votes because of losing their
patience to wait until midnight as what happened to the long polling precinct in this barangay. One voter
stayed long with the consent of the BEIs and kept the others at bay waiting for their turn to enter. This
should be given explanation by the Comelec. Is that system allowed by the Comelec rules?
However, some of those who do not want to forego their rights returned before 7:00 pm to close
the voting, but BEI member Christine Ig-agao and PPCRV volunteer Wilson Tolentino wanted them to be
relisted instead of recognizing the priority numbers. Their dubious plan was thwarted by the angry
persons still in front of the line. They were allowed to recognize their numbers after some hurt feelings.
Another instruction not followed by the members of the BEI was not allowing Christopher
Sanchez, son of Cristituto Sanchez, to cast his vote while accompanying his father, a disabled left-leg
amputee, Christopher was deprived with his right of suffrage when he was instructed to return to the line
and wait for his priority number. Disgusted, he left with his father and went home, instead.
It was only after Cristituto Sanchez invoked his priority to vote as a disabled person, the senior
citizens were given an express lane to cast their votes earlier than the ones with priority numbers. Some
of those in queue who do not know the law complained but after explaining the existence of the law kept
their cool.

The BEI members are Felicito Pabilan, Jocelyn Poleňo and Christine Ig-agao, teachers of the so-called
School of Excellence in Brgy. Tongonan, this city. Pabilan after having been called his attention to the
anomaly said he will no longer serve as member of the BEI. He was not aware of the dirty trick employed
by those who distributed the priority numbers. One question needed a reply is whether or not the
distribution of more than 900 priority numbers legal? Will the members of the BEI have any liability to
make a report of the anomaly, if, it is an anomaly?
This may be minor tricks that the voters of the said Barangay learned for the future election to
come. The Members of the BEI should do their self-scrutiny as to where they went wrong. It is only after
their conscience is clear they could say “work well done”. (Email g_duna@yahoo.com)