Comelec open to poll systems audit
Beleaguered Commission on Elections Chair Andres Bautista stands as the National Board of Canvassers counts the votes at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. LYN RILLON/INQUIRER
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has expressed its willingness to be subjected to a full systems audit of the automated election system (AES) amid allegations of fraud hurled by the camp of vice presidential candidate and Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a chance interview with reporters, Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said the commission had always been committed to transparency.
This commitment to transparency is proven, for instance, by opening the source code used in the automated election system for review of various parties, according to Bautista.
“Itong mga systems natin napasailalim na ito sa source code review, kung ano-anong review ng mga political parties. Pero kami, we are always open to reasonable requests of information. That is part and parcel of transparency,” Bautista said.
On Wednesday, Marcos’ camp formally asked the commission for a systems audit of the AES to determine the extent of the effect of the unauthorized tweak in the transparency server script.
Marcos, who is a close second to front-runner Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, alleged that the cosmetic change in the script had cut his lead in favor of the administration candidate.
Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the poll body was also conducting its own systems audit in preparation for its report to Congress.
“We are having our own audit. Our people are preparing their reports for Congress. Since Senator Marcos is still in office, he will also get a copy of the Comelec report,” she said.
According to partial and unofficial tally by Comelec and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Robredo leads with more than 200,000 votes over Marcos.
RELATED STORIES
Marcos camp to seek poll systems audit
Robredo welcomes Marcos request for poll systems audit
Marcos asks Comelec to let his IT team audit servers
