Automated election system servers, network infra shut down

The Commission on Elections shuts down the automated election system servers and network infrastructure Monday, May 30, three weeks after the national and local elections. (Screengrab from Comelec YouTube)

MANILA, Philippines — The automated election system (AES) servers and network infrastructure used in the May 9 elections were shut down on Monday.

“Part of Post Election Procedures, and in highlighting transparency po, is Open to witnesses though not for live broadcast coverage po due to security considerations po,” said Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco when asked for a statement in relation to the shutdown.

Laudiangco said that there was a backing up procedure prior to the shutdown processes.

“The Data Centers, similar to the Transparency Server, have already served their purposes po for this elections, thus, necessitating their decommissioning,” the official added.

The AES servers and network infrastructure shut down were held at the Central Data Center in Taguig City, Central Data Center in Parañaque City, and Backup Data Center – Data One in Quezon City.

Representatives from political parties and citizens’ arm groups witnessed the activity.

The military and police noted that the May 9 national and local elections were “generally peaceful.”

For international observers, however, the elections were “not free and fair,” which the Comelec disputed.

The elections resulted in the victory of president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and vice president-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio.

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