DICT on online voting system procurement process for 2025 election: 'There is still time'

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Monday, May 13, assured the public that there is still time to implement the online voting system for the upcoming 2025 elections.

"Well to be honest, it will take a while because I want to manage the expectations of our countrymen because no matter what, we are also bound by our public procurement law," DICT Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Renato "Aboy" Paraiso said in a Radyo Pilipinas interview.

"So we will directly develop those, the terms of reference, then we will do a market study on that, then we will do bidding processes," he explained. 

In the usual bidding process, the official gave an example in DICT that before the bidding, it usually takes about half a year to three months to develop the terms of reference for the programs that they want to implement.

When asked if there is still enough time, given that it is already May of 2024 and the elections are approaching, Paraiso noted that “there is still time.” if the department can speed up and procure then implement the system.

However, he highlighted his concern for information campaign  —the voter education when it comes to implementing new systems amidst technological changes like internet voting

“Because it is a new system and new technology. How will they use it? Who would be eligible for this?” Paraiso asked.

“So unless you do it parallel to your procurement, that's a bit, in my opinion, in voter education that is where we will really take time,” he added.

The Overseas Electronic Registration and Voting Act also known as the Internet Voting Bill has passed its second reading in Congress in the House of Representatives during a plenary session on May 8. 

This Internet Voting Bill aims to expand voter registration and voting methods for overseas Filipinos using internet technology under existing laws to to include Internet or electronic registration and voting through available technologies.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/9/of-ws-rejoice-internet-voting-bill-gets-penultimate-house-nod