Manual count can prevent manipulation

THE controversial move of the Commission on Elections (Co­melec) to recall more than 70,000 compact flash (CF) cards a week before the 2010 elections is one of the reasons why many are still questioning the credibility of the automated election system. Worst, there is no stopping the poll body from repeating such a move this coming May 13 mid-term elections.

Former Comelec commissioner Gus Lagman, explained that CF cards which serve as the storage medium for the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines, play a very important role in the polls because it contains all important details as well as the number of votes cast in a particular precinct.