Development in bidding augurs well for 2010 poll automation - Gordon

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today saw the development in the bidding being conducted in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the provider of automation technology, as a positive sign that the automation of the May 2010 elections is well underway.

Gordon, father of election modernization in the Philippines, expressed this opinion as he welcomed reports that the Comelec - Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) may announce this week the winning bidder who will supply machines for next year's automated elections.

"This is a positive development. It is an indication that the automation of next year's election will really come about. The Comelec may be a little behind schedule, based on their timetable but I am positive that they can get back on track," he said.

"Automating the 2010 elections will be a turning point in Philippine democracy because it will mean clean, honest and credible elections that would get the country out of the political rut that it has fallen into," he added.

The Comelec-SBAC has announced that the winning bidder who will supply machines for next year's automated elections may be known on Wednesday as it proceeds with the post-qualification procedure for the lone remaining group � Total Information Management (TIM)/ Smartmatic.

The post-qualification procedure is the last hurdle for bidders before a lowest calculated bid � the winner of the P11.2-billion contract � is announced. The Comelec confirms the authenticity of the documents submitted by the bidders in the post-qualification procedure.

Out of the original seven bidders, only TIM/Smartmatic demonstrated its precinct count optical scan machines. The other bidders were disqualified for failing to meet the terms of reference.

The Comelec is withholding its declaration since TIM/Smartmatic has yet to pass the post-qualification stage.

Gordon, author of Republic Act (RA) 9369 or the amended Automated Elections System Law which mandated the nationwide automation of the 2010 presidential elections, stressed anew that automated elections will ensure that people's votes are counted and their voices will be heard. He added that it would also ensure that winning candidates will have the people's mandate which would mean that they would be unencumbered by electoral protests that hound winning candidates and prevent them from working efficiently.

"If elected officials have the people's mandate, they can focus on effectively carrying out their duties and functions rather than giving attention to electoral protests filed by their opponents who claim that they were cheated," he added.