Gordon: Poll automation will free our nation from fraud-ridden elections

One hundred eleven years since the nation declared independence from foreign rule, the country has remained imprisoned by an election system that is marred by wholesale cheating and fraud.

Senator Richard J. Gordon (Ind.) today said that a truly independent nation is one that is completely democratic, especially in the system used to choose the leaders of the country.

"Today we are commemorating 111 years of independence from colonial rule; however, we have yet to free our nation from the shackles of electoral fraud and cheating; we have yet to see election winners proclaimed without a stain of doubt that they cheated; we have yet to see an election that is honest, clean, speedy and credible," he said.

"Now that the automation of our electoral system is underway, we must get ourselves involved in this process of change. We have to show to ourselves and to the world that the Filipino will fight for his right to choose his leaders. We ought to make this happen. Only then can our people achieve true freedom and independence," he added.

Gordon said that the computerization of the 2010 Elections is tantamount to modernizing Philippine democracy.

With the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) issuance of the resolution awarding the automation project to the winning bidder, the senator said the nation is one step closer to attaining the long hoped-for honest, clean, speedy and credible election.

Gordon, father of election modernization in the country and principal author Republic Act (RA) 9369 or the amended Automated Elections System Law, said that with this latest development, the Comelec showed it is sincere in ensuring the automation of the May 2010 National and Local Elections.

"Automating the elections is our one big shot at modernizing Philippine democracy. It is our chance of making each vote be counted, and each voice be heard. It will show the world that we can implement the laws that we make," he said.

"Having automated elections would allow us to resolve political disputes and allow elected candidates to concentrate on the business of providing good governance," he added.