http://zernamj143bai.blogspot.com/2009/03/computerized-election-in-philippines.

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I. Introduction It is a proven fact that during Philippine elections a lot of comments occur. The kind of election here in the Philippines is very different from the others. We were astonished to the US presidential election during the previous years which Barack Obama won. It was an astonishing event that the world has ever seen. But, what made us astonished is that it took only few hours to proclaim the next president of the most powerful nation in the world. Polls were computerized, everything was so organized. Now it made us think that if computerized voting system is being forwarded for approval in the Philippines for the 2010 election. To us, it will be a nice move by the government to gain back the trust of the nation. Every election in the Philippines was seemed to be dirty and bloody. And with that computerized voting scheme, the upcoming election wont repeat what happened to the previous years. Votes back them were counted manually by underpaid public school teachers. And when evening comes, the next day, people would hear in news that a precinct staff was murdered and the ballot box stolen. This is actually so common here. And even before the election a candidate would be in the news, ambushed, murdered and forced to step down. That is how dirty politics here. Now back to the computerized election, it is a very great idea to keep the election clean. We are now living in a high technology world and it is about time that the country makes use of high-tech equipment to significantly reduce the many problems that Philippines suffered during election. Importance of the study

Every election in the Philippine was seemed to be dirty and bloody. The kind of election we dont want to, for it is now the time to change the level of voting here in the Philippines. Computerized election could be a turning point for the country to be successful in many elections to come. This study will prove on how computerized election could help the kind of election, that Philippine has. In addition, this study can show the different reasons why computerized election is important to the country. However, this study could also show the disadvantages of using computerized election. The main purpose of this study is to inform every voter on how computerized election helps the kind of election that Philippine has. Review of Related Literature A. Definition of computerized election Computerized election system is defined as vote counting process using electronic devices such as computers. According to an act authorizing the Commission on Elections, they should conduct a nationwide demonstration of a computerized election system and pilot-test it in March 1996 election in the ARMM and for other

purposes (http://www.COMELEC.com). A. Difference between manual and computerized election To differentiate manual from computerized election, let us first define manual election. Manual election is defined as a system that count votes using paper audits stored by a ballot box. In addition, manual election usually takes a long time before proclaiming the winning candidate. It is a time consuming system, for it takes more than a month before the results are transmitted to the COMELEC. Lastly, manual election is counted by underpaid public school teachers, while computerized election is a system that counting and voting process is done by using a sufficient installed program into the computers. Unlike manual election, computerized election is easy and fast for the transmission of results is done by computers. In addition, computerized election usually takes a short period of time before proclaiming the winning candidate. II. Three methods to vote A. Paper ballots are still used as the primary way f voting in a number of countries. Voters mark their ballot by hand with an indelible marker (a marker that cannot be erased) or pen and place their finished ballot in a ballot box. Local election officials then count the votes by hand. B. Optical Scan Voting Systems enable votes to mark their choices on pre-printed ballots by either connecting arrows, or filling in bubbles next to the candidates names. The paper ballot is then counts the married bubbles or arrows on each ballot and automatically computes the total of each candidate and/or issue. C. DREs (Direct Record Electronic System) enable voters to record their choices electronically directly into the machine. There are several types of DREs (some have a dial while others use a touch screen) but, essentially they all enable voters to move back and forth between screens (ballot pages) to select the candidates and/or issues to whom they wish to vote. Once a voter has made his or her choices, the DRE provides a summary screen that presents those choices and gives the voter the ability to go back and make any changes before the pressing the vote or cast ballot button. One of the benefits of a DRE System is that prevents over voting that is, it stops the voter from selecting two candidates or options in a race were only one is allowed. As well a DRE gives the voter an opportunity to correct under voting or when he/she fails to select any candidate or option in race.

IV. Advantages and Disadvantages of computerized election A. Advantages of computerized election 1. Initial recording of voter information Initial records of voter are stored to the program that is use for the voting process. With the help of computers, information of the voters can be easily traced by the Comelec official. 2. Secure storage of votes Through computers, the security of votes has been keep and protected for votes were safety saved by a memory card. This memory card cant be deleted easily by

anyone. With the help of the machine the votes are secured and the retrieval process can be done easy and fast. 3. Maintaining the continuous list The continuous list of the voters information was maintained, for the secure list of voters information was saved by the computers. 4. Printing copies of preliminary voters list The printing copies of preliminary voters list can be given directly to the area where voters can vote. There would be an easy access for the voters and without any delays the list can be shown to the voters. 5. Data entry to revise the preliminary voters list The preliminary voters list can be revise easily if ever there is a need for revision of the voters list. 6. Maintaining record of the materials inventory The records of the materials inventory can be save and edited, with the help of the programs installed to the computers. 7. Printing copies of the final voters list The final copy of the voters list can be printed easily and fast to be given right away to the area it is assign. 8. General record keeping and maintenance The computer can keep records and maintenance safety by using the right program that protects the general records of the voters and the votes. 9. Identifying duplicate registrations The computer can detect duplicate registration for the voters information is saved by the computers. 10. Producing statistics on voter registration The computer helps producing statistics on voter by geographic area, as well as by gender, age, etc. 11. Low cost and without wasting paper The computer helps in not wasting too much of paper, for the format of voting is done by computer. In addition, the cost of the election can be minimize for the computers counts votes easy and fast. 12. Keeping an audit trail of the changes made to each voter record. The audit trail of the changes made to each voter record can be quickly. For example, by whom a change was made, on the basis of what source information, what data were changed, which record attributes were affected. 13. Easy and Fast voting With computerized voting you would have several ways to vote. If you dont have a computer you would go to the place where you vote how and vote on the computers provided you to vote on. Voting at the polls will be as easy as it ever was, even easier. The computers at the polls will be set up easy to use. Within minutes after the polls close the computer totals the votes and the winner is displayed. Information is instantly available about what the totals were to each area. No waiting into the night for the results to be counted. The computers count it all up instantly.

B. Disadvantages of computerized election 1. Fraud If wrong results can occur accidentally, they can also happen intentionally. Rigging has been suspected in various elections, but law suits have been unsuccessful. In many other cases, fraud could easily have taken place. For many years in Philippines, manual system overrides were necessary to compute the processing of no computerized precincts. With the adoption of computerized election the more tampering can occur. Computerized elections are being run or considered but it does not answer the problem of cheating during election. 2. Erroneous results Computer-related error occurs with alarming frequency in elections. Computerized elections can cause erroneous results for there is a possibility to attribute human error and not computer error, and were presumably due to operators and hot programmers; however in the absence of dependable accountability, who can tell? Existing Standards for designing, testing, certifying, and operating computerized vote-counting system are inadequate and voluntary, and provide few hard constraints, almost no accountability and no independent expert evaluations. 3. Privacy and confidentiality The transparency of voting can cause detection by those who want to cheat. The confidentiality of the votes wont be confidential anymore, for the results are done publicity. 4. Risk of theft Computerized elections can be a risk of theft, especially to those desperate candidates who can hire an expert. Hacking can be a problem in computerized election for there is a possibility in manipulating the votes. 5. Cost The cost of computerized election is expensive, that is why it is difficult for the country. V. Conclusion Providing sufficient measures for computerized election we therefore conclude that: 1. Computerized election is a great idea to keep the election clean. 2. Computerized election is an opportunity to promote good, quality and clean voting process. 3. Computerized election will promote easy and fast voting unlike manual system. 4. Computerized election is a sufficient system to use in voting and counting process. 5. Computerized election helps eliminating manipulation of votes. 6. Computerized election will help in processing votes easy and fast. 7. Computerized election has more advantages than disadvantages.

8. Computerized election has disadvantages in conducting election. 9. Computerized election wont be sufficient if it will mis handled. 10. Computerized election in the Philippines will change the way of votinng process to a great way.

http://www.issues.cc/complaints/philippines/is-our-election-process-fair
PHILIPPINES

IS OUR ELECTION PROCESS FAIR

The Election process has always been controversial issue for every election process we had. It is a very hot topic during a time when we citizens have to vote for a candidate we think deserving to win to rule a country. But are we sure that the election process is fair? That no cheating is happening during counting of votes and no manipulation is done in order to change the credibility of the results? Well, these are the some questions that are playing inside the minds of many voters who want change and who wants improvement for their country. A lot of countries are undergoing the process of election and only some of these countries achieve successful election process. What do we mean by successful? I really think that successful election process pertains to when the election was done with no manipulation done making the results credible and accurate not that it is just only been done for the sake of finishing the process and declaring someone who won without validating the credibility and accuracy of the results. Don't you think that right of the people is being violated when there is manipulation done during the election process? Yes, of course because it is not fair for people because during election, I believe that these people are the boss and their right to vote should be respected. At the end, these are the ones being ruled out by an official who won the election. Like in many countries election is always being manipulated in order to get what they desire. At the end of this journey, we must put into our minds that power and money isn't just the most important things in the world, dignity is. For officials, inculcate in your minds that, once you cheat in election, your dignity is being destroyed thus making you the most poor and powerless person in the country you are in.

Philippine Elections: The Good, the Bad, and the Funny

By Mong Palatino

The Good Counting and transmission of voting results in a matter of minutes. Winners declared a few hours after the closing of precincts. Fewer election protests. Presidential bets conceding defeat a day after elections. These were all unthinkable 3 years ago but became a reality in the past 24 hours as the Philippines successfully conducted its first automated election system. Voter turnout was estimated at 75 percent, though this figure could have been higher if voting machines didnt malfunction in several polling centers during the first few hours of the voting period. Many voters were also disappointed with the long lines that greeted them in voting precincts. There were also voters whose names were not included in the official list of voters. Despite these problems, the high number of voters who trooped the voting centers gave credibility to the election process which is essential in a democratic society. Public school teachers who manned the precincts throughout the country also deserve to be honored. They are the unsung heroes of the elections by being at the frontline of the new voting system. They were assisted by thousands of volunteers who made sure that elections would remain peaceful and clean. Kudos also to media networks for their vigilance and comprehensive coverage of the elections. Citizen journalists should be commended as well for actively monitoring and reporting the conduct of elections in the country. The Bad The program to reform and modernize the elections should still be pursued because the recently concluded elections didnt eradicate old problems like vote buying. Rich candidates and parties still used their wealth and influence to buy the votes of the poor. Voting machines may be accurate but the ballot filled out by the voter is already compromised because it didnt reflect the true sentiment of the voter. Politician warlords still deployed private armies to terrorize voters and supporters of their rival candidates. Many voters were intimidated not to vote on Election Day. Bomb explosions rocked various parts of the country, especially in Mindanao. There are fewer election-related deaths this year but still it indicates the need to promote a better and more peaceful election process. Elections should not lead to senseless deaths and injuries. The Funny It is notable that showbiz actors and comedians are leading in the senate race but many intellectuals believe this is not a good joke. Foreigners are amused that former First Lady Imelda Marcos has successfully resurrected her political career by clinching a seat in Congress but older Filipinos are afraid that the crimes of the Marcos regime seem to be forgotten already. World boxing champion Manny Pacquaio has finally knocked-out a politician as he prepares to take a seat in Congress, fueling speculation that he would finally retire from boxing.

The funniest episode in yesterdays election was when presidential bet Joseph Estrada forgot to vote for his running mate, Vice Presidential hopeful Jejomar Binay. Estrada denied that he junked Binay but photographers have proof of the ballot which Estrada fed into the voting machine. Deliberate or not, it is funny that Estrada committed this blooper.