NAMFREL no longer doing quick counts

MANILA, Philippines - Election watchdog National Citizen’s Movement for a Free Election (NAMFREL) chairperson Henrietta "Tita" T. de Villa said that the group will no longer be doing quick counts because of the election’s automation. "The quick count before filled the gap between the canvassing but there is no more need for that with the automated voting machines," said Ms. De Villa after NAMFREL’s conference workshop Friday. Ms. De Villa said that NAMFREL will focus on voter registration and education programs to encourage higher voter turnout. She however assured that in the event election automation does not push through, the group will be able to set up a quick count quickly. "Voter education will focus on the machines so we’re going to have a manual on the electronic machines. People have to know why the machines shut down or why it rejects ballots," said Ms. De Villa. She said that the group will start writing its manual once the technology to be used is known in February. The group also hopes to expand voter registration and will go around schools to help do so. Ms. De Villa said that there is a pressing need to underscore that voting is both a right and responsibility. One of the group’s projects is to upload the voter’s list on its Web site. NAMFREL however will continue its role as a watchdog during the elections. — Emilia Narni J. David, BusinessWorld