Comelec finalizing TOR for bidding of poll automation machines

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it is now finalizing the terms of reference for the bidding of the optical mark reader (OMR) machines that will be used for the automation of the 2010 polls. In a press briefing, Comelec chairman Jose Melo said they are rushing the TOR in time for the expected release of the budget middle of February. “Hopefully, by February 15, we can already have the budget para masimulan na natin ang procedures tulad ng bidding, procurement at customization ng machines," Melo said. Melo said the Comelec is considering an enhanced version of the OMR machines that were used in the conduct of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) elections/ “In the ARMM elections, the OMR was just for voting before it would be transferred to a centralized counting center. Now, the OMR we are eyeing is already both voting and counting machines… so this will only makes the process faster," Melo said. For his part, Comelec commissioner Necodemo Ferrer said that if the new system is adopted, the winner of the elections will be known in barely 3 days. “By the estimates of our technical people, in three days time, we will already know the results of the elections," Ferrer said. He added that the results from the precincts will immediately be transmitted to the Comelec central office, where the National Board of Canvassers will be immediately convened. Last Monday, Melo announced that they have already selected the OMR system for the 2010 elections because of its paper and audit trails features. As of now, the Comelec said they are just waiting for the release of their P11.3 billion supplemental budget from Congress as it is a pre-requisite before they can proceed with the bidding process. - GMANews.TV