Defective SD cards delay canvassing in Bohol towns

Bohol in the Visayas (Image from Google Maps)

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Defective SD cards are delaying the canvassing of votes and the proclamation of many election winners in Bohol.

According to Rojene Tabanera, computer technologist at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office, eight defective SD cards were sent to the Cebu technical hub for configuration.

Officials expected the reconfigured SD cards to be sent back to Bohol by Wednesday morning.

Currently, votes from 45 of 48 towns in the province have been canvassed.

Still not canvassed are votes from the towns of Tubigon, Sagbayan and Panglao. Provincial election supervisor Eddie Aba said the defective SD cards could hinder the proclamation of winning candidates in some areas.

So far, only 8 winners were proclaimed as of Tuesday.

They were re-elected 2nd district Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, newly elected 3rd district Rep. Alexie Tutor; re-elected 3rd district board members Jade Bautista, Elpidio Jala and Dionisio Victor Balite and newly elected board member Dr. Elpidio Bonita ; and newly elected 2nd district board member Frans Garcia.

Also proclaimed was outgoing Governor Edgar Chatto as congressman.

Aba said the problem was unavoidable.

“In fact, the same problem has also been experienced by other provinces. We are fixing the problem,” he said.

“I just hope that the SD cards will be in tomorrow as promised by Manila. I’ve been pressuring Manila already,” he added. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)