ERs to be delivered before May 13 - Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered all its provincial supervisors to deliver the printed election returns (ERs) to the poll body’s main office in Manila and the Congress not later than three days after the May 10 elections. "In all instances, the [provincial election supervisors] shall see to it that the delivering copies of the ERs at intervals of 12 hours or shorter when possible is faithfully complied with to the end that all copies of the ERs for Congress (the office President of the Senate) and the Commission are delivered not later than May 13, 2010," reads Resolution 8803 promulgated March 16. Republic Act 9369 or the amended Poll Automation Law requires the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to print 30 copies of the ERs, which indicate the election results at the precinct level. Resolution 8803 says that the Board of Election Inspectors shall deliver to the election officer the envelopes containing the printed ERs. The envelopes will then be prepared for distribution to the city or municipal board of canvassers, provincial board of canvassers, authorized organizations, Congress, and the Comelec. ERs meant for the provincial board of canvassers, Congress, and Comelec are to be deposited in ballot boxes that will be padlocked three times. The resolution also says the PES must designate the "most senior and able" election assistant to transport the ballot boxes with the ERs. It said that "sufficient" security will be provided by the Philippine Natioal Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, watchers of political parties, candidates, and accredited citizens arms. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMANews.TV