By Leslie Ann Aquino
The proposed ballot of the automated election system (AES) present by the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) did not impress Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon who even likened it to a lottery ticket.
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"I don’t like their suggested ballot," she said in her Twitter account @commrguanzon.
"Feeling ko tataya ako sa lottery. We need a simpler ballot. Make it easy for voters to vote," added Guanzon.
Last Monday, an Automated Election System Technology Fair was held in Quezon City and among the AES showcased is the DICT's “One Citizen. One Vote. One Count“ system.
The DICT system featured a ballot with ovals similar to what is found in sweepstakes tickets with voters needing only to shade or mark the oval corresponding to the number assigned to a candidate.
"@DICTgovph, why not just shade 12 ovals under senator? This looks like a lottery ticket. Something isn't right," Guanzon said.
The event allowed the various local and international providers to present their concept or prototype of an alternative AES, which may be used for the 2022 National and Local Elections.
Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said they will still evaluate various solutions presented by exhibitors.
"All of these solutions show great promise, and the Comelec will be evaluating each one, to see how well they meet the Philippines’ unique circumstances,” he said.
For his part, Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas said the technology fair gave the poll body the opportunity to see what is available out there, in terms of modern election solutions.
"It shows us solutions we have not seen before, and it shows us new strategies for using the technology we already have,” he said.