Comelec, Smartmatic-TIM bring PCOS to Isabela
Santiago City, Isabela (20 October) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the winning bidder for the 2010 automated elections - Smartmatic-Total Information Management (Smartmatic-TIM) - have presented to local elected and Comelec officials in Isabela and Quirino the computer machine that will be used in the national and elections in the country next year.
The Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) is a computer machine that will count, record, tally, analyze data and transmit election results electronically has a built-in ballot box at its bottom and a stand-by power supply that will last for sixteen hours.
Mr. Mike Avila, representative of Smartmatic-TIM, said when using the PCOS in the election, the counting process is quick; the generation of election returns are automatic upon the close of election hours and produces 30 copies; the canvassing process is transparent, auditable with no human intervention; and transmission of election results is through electronic transfer.
The PCOS will not read invalid ballots like those ballots that are fake, photocopied, previously inserted/scanned ballots.
The PCOS will only read ballots with security features like bar code, ultra violet ink and security markings like water marks.
"The PCOS uses password, Personal Identification Number (PIN) and encryption like banks do and it cannot be opened by anybody except the authorized Board of Election Inspectors deputized by Comelec," Avila said.
Avila said Smartmatic-TIM will be supplying more than eighty thousand PCOS during the 2010 elections.
He said in just two to three days there will be proclaimed President using the automated counting machine.
Mr. Avila sought the help of local leaders including the local Comelec officials to educate the voters on the proper accomplishment of ballots that will be used on 2010 elections.
He said there appears a blank oval shape before the names of candidates from national down to local positions.
Voters are advised to properly shade in whole the oval shape they wanted to vote for to be counted by the machine.
The actual presentation of the automated machine is part of Comelec's information and education program to enable the voters know the actual voting in 2010 elections using the PCOS or the automated counting machine. (PIA Isabela) [top]
