MANILA, Philippines—The agreement between Smartmatic International and Total Information Management Corp. (TIM) should squelch suspicion that Malacañang is bent on scuttling automated elections, according to a spokesperson of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

With the two firms that won the P7.2-billion poll automation contract coming to terms, the public should now have “complete faith and trust” that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) can computerize the 2010 polls, Undersecretary Lorelei Fajardo said Saturday.

“This should put an end to speculations [that Malacañang is not keen on computerized elections],” she said over radio dzRB.

Speculations had swirled that TIM was influenced by Malacañang to withdraw from the partnership to sabotage the poll automation project. The First Couple were special guests at the 1994 inauguration of TIM’s business recovery service center.

Fajardo said Malacañang had hoped that the preparation for computerized elections would be smooth and free of kinks.

“TIM knows how important poll automation is to the Filipinos. I’m sure it has the social responsibility to fulfill its commitment. We’re hoping that no problem will arise. If it does, it will be solved,” she said.

Fajardo appealed for cooperation among the Comelec, the winning consortium, the election watchdogs, civil society, the candidates and the voting public to ensure credible elections.