The Precinct Count Optical Scan or PCOS machines have been used by the Comelec to automate the counting of votes during elections. The first time it was used was at last year’s election. It drew a lot of controversies being that it would be a huge leap for the Philippines since it came from having a manual votes counting system, to an automated one. Some didn’t like the idea of automating it since the results may easily be manipulated. There were a lot of issues with the system during the voting process itself. A lot of voting ballots were rejected. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II lost to last election to Jejomar Binay to the Vice President position. He wanted Comelec to still check all the rejected ballots. For me, rules have been set in voting for a reason. As an IT student, instructions must be followed to the letter. Rejected ballots should stay rejected. Most people liked the system since it would take less time for us to know the results of the elections. Less people would be needed to stay overtime in just counting votes.
Last Saturday, Comelec made a field test run for the new PCOS machines. Comelec have dubbed it to be successful. The field tests were conducted in the National Capital Region, particularly Taguig and Pateros; Benguet, Palawan, Cebu, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Sur, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Antique. Most of the machines transmitted test results at 100 percent, according to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. The test consisted of testing the capability of the machines in transmitting the results of the election.
“We are satisfied with the test,” Jimenez said.
He explained that the machines that have yet to fully transmit results could not be considered failures right away because there were contingency measures in place.
“We don’t call it a failure because we have a contingency such as replacing the SIM card,” Jimenez said, adding that the field tests somehow gave them an idea of what they can expect from the electronic transmission come the May 2013 elections.
These tests have not bee documented due to the fact it involved the internal system of the PCOS machine. Another field test for the machines may be conducted however it is still subjected to the decision of the Comelec.
