Namfrel renews calls for parallel manual count after poll machines fail

The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Wednesday renewed calls for a nationwide parallel manual count after automated poll machines tested last Monday failed to read votes accurately. A parallel manual count on May 10 would be “more imperative" now after problems were revealed during the testing of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, Namfrel spokesperson Jose Cuisia said in a press conference in San Juan City. “What we are saying is that a parallel manual count is more necessary now because of all the problems revealed by the PCOS machines. A parallel manual count is very important at this point," he said. The group failed to secure Comelec accreditation to be the poll body’s citizen arm. It was given to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). Last week, the Comelec junked last week a petition that would have required teachers and election inspectors at the precinct level to manually count all votes cast for five positions, aside from the automated count to be done by PCOS machines. The Namfrel suggested that votes for three positions — president, vice-president and mayor — be counted manually on election day to “enhance the credibility" of the poll results. “There is more reason now the Comelec should look at our suggestion if they want the results to be credible. If they continue ignoring us, the results will not be credible, and that is what we want to avoid," Cuisia said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV