Atienza agrees with Duterte to replace Smartmatic
Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza has agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte to replace vote counting machines (VCMs) provider Smartmatic in time for the next elections.
In a Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum on Wednesday, Atienza said Duterte was right to call for the replacement of Smartmatic.
“I’m happy with his statement, Smartmatic must go,” Atienza said.
During Duterte’s visit in Japan last month, the President told the Commission on Elections to “dispose of” Smartmatic following numerous election irregularities, including computer glitches experienced by several VCMs.
READ: Duterte tells Comelec: Dispose of Smartmatic
There were over 961 VCMs that malfunctioned on the election day itself despite passing previous tests.
Among the cities that experienced problems with VCMs were Pasig, Makati and San Juan, affecting the casting of votes of several people including former Vice President Jejomar Binay and then mayoral candidate Vico Sotto. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
RELATED STORIES:
VCM glitches mar voting in Pasig, Makati and San Juan
Vico Sotto delays vote due to glitch in vote counting machine
BREAK: Comelec: VCM malfunctioned, ex-VP Binay’s ballot to be refed
