This entry is based from the Seminar on Technology and Law by Atty. Enrique V. dela Cruz, Jr. who in turn based his lecture from his observations on various election tests held.
1.) CLUSTERED PRECINCTS. This term means a composition of two or more established precincts. In May, the original 320,415 Established Precincts will be reduced to 73,000 Clustered Precincts. An Established Precinct has 200 voters while in a Clustered Precinct in May, there will be 1000 voters. Thus, 5 Established Precincts equals 1 Clustered Precinct.
Prediction: Some may not be able to vote. A voter must vote for a maximum of 6 minutes only. This figure came from the following: 9.5 hours multiplied by 60 minutes and a maximum of 10 voters at a time inside the clustered precincts/classroom. The voting period is 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. 6 minutes is not a reasonable time even for a sharp and well-informed voter. More, Filipinos tend to show up on the “last minute”.
2.) PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scanner). COMELEC purchased only 82,200 PCOS Machine for the 73,000 Clustered Precincts making the difference as spares.
Prediction: Failure of Election is a possibility since there is no replacement for every machine.
3.) UNIQUE AND ULTRA-SENSITIVE BALLOTS. The long ballots with letters the font size of which is 11 should not be folded or smudged because the PCOS will invalidate it. If invalidated, the votes will not be counted. The ballot is also unique for every voter and there is no replacement. Consider the very small armchairs in public schools and the indelible ink on the hand of the Teacher / Election Inspector. There will always be a tendency for the ballot to be folded or smudged. Also, there will be no secrecy of ballots.
Prediction: Educated Voters win! This good news for Gibo and Gordon. Bad news for Villar and Erap.
4.) 3 DAYS PRE-ELECTION “WATCHING” PERIOD. 3 days before Election Day, the machines shall be sealed in the presence of the watchers without any connection to transmission links. The public shall be allowed to secure the polling places where the counting machines are kept and the only time that the counting machines shall be opened again is on election day in the presence of the same watchers.
Prediction: Additional 3 Days of Possible Terrorism increasing the chances of a Failure of Election.
5.) GROCERY-RECEIPT-LIKE ELECTION RETURNS. Aside from the appearance, the print also fades in 7 days.
Prediction: Election Protests Fail! Only the Receipt-like ERs are digitally signed. Scanning or photocopying it will not help.
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