PCOS ballot-reading glitch already corrected, Comelec official says

It’s all systems go for the May 10 polls as the problem on automated poll machines failing to read votes inaccurately has already been corrected, a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said on Tuesday night.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said in an interview on GMA News’ 24 Oras that poll machine supplier Smartmatic-Total Information Management (TIM) has already properly configured the compact flash (CF) cards that will store the precinct-specific data which the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines need to read ballots properly.

“The solution is already okay. We tested some ballot faces, and it works. For the national and local, it’s accurate already. We’re (going to) start burning the CF cards tonight," he said.



Larrazabal also said that the testing and sealing of PCOS machines are going to resume on Thursday, and polls are going to push through as planned next Monday,

“I looked at the numbers and it’s doable. Starting tonight, they start burning the CF cards and they can burn 80,000 CF cards in two days. What we’re going to do is start the turning and sealing on Thursday," he said.

The poll body ordered earlier today the halting of the testing and sealing of PCOS machines after some voting machines malfunctioned when they were tested on Monday. (See: Some poll machines fail to read votes accurately)

Larrazabal likewise brushed aside suggestions to postpone the polls, since the properly configured CF cards will be delivered to polling precincts in time for Monday’s elections.

“What we’d like to do is focus on the solution… What’s important is that all the things that need to be done are being done right now to remedy this and ensure that we will have an election," he said.—JV, GMANews.TV