Archive for October, 2009
October 29th, 2009 by Malayang Halalan
We Do Not Trust Machines
The people reject electronic voting.
By Evgeny Morozov | NEWSWEEK
Published May 23, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Jun 1, 2009
When Ireland embarked on an ambitious e-voting scheme in 2006 that would dispense with “stupid old pencils,” as then–prime minister Bertie Ahern put it, in favor of fancy touchscreen voting machines, it seemed that the nation was embracing its technological future. Three years and €51 million later, in April, the government scrapped the entire initiative. High costs were one concern—finishing the project would take another €28 million. But what doomed the effort was a lack of trust: the electorate just didn’t like that the machines would record their votes as mere electronic blips, with no tangible record.
Continue reading ‘Lack of voter ed causes Ireland to scrap poll automation’
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October 28th, 2009 by Malayang Halalan
Columnist Alejandro R. Roces wrote in his Philippine Star column on June 06, 2009 regarding the importance of voter education.
In almost every election, no matter what automated voting system is used, there are always going to be accusations of voter fraud. The goal should be then, to limit as much as possible, the fraud. Automated polling systems are only one aspect. In some countries, impartial observers are sent to voting sites to make sure no fraud takes place. Education programs, to teach people the importance of their vote, are also used. But, with all the talk of automating the voting process for 2010, it would be instructive to study what system(s) other countries use.
The June 1, 2009 Newsweek magazine ran an article about automated and electronic voting (“We do not trust machines: The people reject electronic voting”, by Eugene Morozov). The system that seems to be (re)gaining attraction in the developed world are paper ballots counted by optical scanners. Ultimately, this seems to be the favored system for one simple reason: it creates a paper trail that is easily audited.
While attractive for their novelty, touchscreen machines for e-voting appear to be out of favor for a variety of reasons. We should at least implement a functional paper-based balloting system that uses the latest in optical machines. But, we should remember that no matter what system is implemented, there are still going to be opportunities for voter fraud. No automated voting system will eliminate these problems.
If a new voting system is implemented, a program to educate voters on how to properly use the system must also be carried out. The worse thing that could happen is when people improperly use whatever system is adopted, thereby leading to inaccurate or spurious results.
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October 28th, 2009 by Malayang Halalan
Cheating in the 2010 automated elections seems like a lucrative idea. Perhaps this is why as soon as a new law or system is introduced, the first thing that people try to do is to find ways to cheat it.
This kind of raises the question, are Filipinos culturally inclined to cheat?
When number coding was being introduced to reduce traffic, people tried to prevent its implementation and when that didn’t happen, people tried to cheat it by buying another car or getting a fake MMDA exemption.
When new taxes were imposed, people looked for ways to cheat it.
The automation of the 2010 elections wasn’t spared from this. Almost immediately after the Amended Automated Election Law was signed, people either tried to stop its implementation or find ways to cheat in an election that was automated.
At around the moment that it became certain that the 2010 elections was going to be automated and just prior to the time that the contract for supplying the automated election system was awarded, several groups surfaced and claimed that the automated election system would result in automated electoral fraud.
The funny thing was, there was even a group that claimed that they could hack the automated election system and at that time, the Comelec hadn’t even decided on what kind of automated election system it would use. It was a rather wild claim and oddly enough, there were columnists and commentators who believed that high tech fraud can be done.
So far, it seems, the automated electoral fraud and hacking conspiracy theorists have all but shut up. But the coast isn’t clear yet.
There are now groups going around claiming that for a fee, they’ll help provide candidates with a secret winning edge come May 2010. Presumably, they have some secret trick that candidates can use in order to win and despite the fact that it isn’t a high tech way to go about it, some of the techniques might be somewhat effective.
One group offered the sage advice that cheating in the 2010 polls will no longer be done wholesale but retail. This means that cheating will be done at the precinct level rather than at the provincial or regional level. Instead of dag-dag bawas cheating at a national scale, it will be tingi-tingi cheating for those who can afford it.
Here is a list of retail methods of electoral fraud.
DURING THE CASTING OF VOTES
1. Vote buying/selling
2. Padding of the Voters’ list and substitute voting
3. Pre-shading
4. Illiterate and handicap voters
5. Neutralization or negative vote buying
6. Ballot stuffing
7. Deployment of teams of flying voters
8. Disenfranchisement and shaving the voter’s list
9. Goyo-goyo or trickery
10. Fielding of nuisance candidates.
COUNTING
1. Ballot snatching
2. Deliberate error
3. Premature count
CANVASSING
1. Ghost precincts
2. Computer can be pre-loaded with prepared COCs and SOVs.
3. A master password could be used to control the canvassing computers.
CHEATING TACTICS THAT CAN BE DONE AT ANY STAGE OF THE ELECTION PROCESS:
1. Delaying tactics
2. Terrorism
3. Buying the loyalty of the Poll Watcher or technician
4. Stealing of election paraphernalia
5. Power failure
6. Destruction of automated counting machines and computerized canvassing machines.
So, if you want to guard against these retail methods of electoral fraud in 2010, it is best to figure out how this will happen and implement countermeasures.
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October 26th, 2009 by Malayang Halalan
If you haven’t registered yet for the 2010 National and Local Elections, you have until October 31 to troop to the nearest Comelec office in your area and register.
Needless to say, if you want to have your say in the next elections and vote for the leaders that you think will really change the country for the better, you have fulfill this first and most crucial step. If you fail to register, you cannot vote.
Here’s what you need to bring:
1. Bring any of the following valid identification cards:
- employee’s ID,
- postal ID,
- Students ID,
- Driver’s License,
- NBI or PNP clearance,
- Passport,
- SSS/GSIS ID, IBP ID,
- PRC license
Have a photo copy of your ID ready to be submitted to the Comelec. IDs should have name, picture and address. If you are not yet 18 but will turn 18 before the election period, bring a birth certificate. Forms should be accomplished in triplicate.
2) Head off to your local Election Officer (OEO) at your local city or municipal hall during regular office hours (read: Mondays to Fridays, from 8am to 5pm). Lately, the Comelec has opened their doors as well to Saturday registrations. It’s also good to watch out for mobile registrations in your barangay and schools.
3) Before you are given a registration form, the election officer will verify if you have registered in the past.
4) Once cleared, you will be given the CEF-1A (white form) to fill-up. You can also download your own copy from the Commission on Elections website.
5) Fill up ‘Part 1’ and hand it to the election officer, presenting your valid ID while handing over the photocopy of your ID.
6) You will be ushered to the data capturing or biometrics desk for your signature, thumb mark, and picture.
7) You will be given an acknowledgement receipt. Keep this as proof that you have registered. You will be asked to come back for your voters’ ID.
For queries or additional information, call Comelec education and information department at (02) 525 -9294, 527-0821, 525-0821 or 527-5574 or email: eidcomelec@yahoo.com
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October 26th, 2009 by Malayang Halalan
Filipinos have two pastimes that they hold dearly in their hearts: politics and showbiz. From news of the newest Senate inquiry to inside scoops about a teen star’s pregnancy, Pinoys lap it all up, our day incomplete without a good helping of each.
In the Philippines, the sphere of politics is not separate from that of showbiz, the two worlds freely intersecting at many points. Political squabbles are played up in media with the verve typically reserved for the entertainment pages, with elected officials taking the opportunity to prance and preen for the camera. Movie stars are seen as heroes even beyond the silver screen, their feats on film taken as actual credentials as leaders and policymakers.
Voters in the country have been electing movie stars to national positions since the 1950s. Matinee idol turned serious actor Rogelio de la Rosa, erstwhile lead in many romantic movies, was the first movie star to be elected to the Philippine Senate in 1957. De la Rosa would later run for presidency but withdrew to give way to Diosdado Macapagal.
In 1998, Joseph “Erap” Estrada won the presidency by the biggest vote margin in Philippine election history. A slew of stars then followed suit, including athletes, singers, comedians, former beauty queens, even has-been celebrities.
With the 2010 elections just around the corner, another blockbuster political drama is set to unfold featuring an all-star cast. The following are just a few of the prominent showbiz figures who are set to run in the 2010 polls:
- Herbert Bautista—He started his political career at a young age when he served in the barangay level in Quezon City. Still sporting his youthful “Bistek” looks that endeared him to his fans and constituents, Bautista will be making his bid as Quezon City mayor.
- Alfred Vargas— A management graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University, Vargas is set on proving that hunks can also be effective public officials if he makes it as one of the councilors in Quezon City.
- Isko Moreno—Once a protégé of Kuya Germs, Moreno shed off his boy-next-door image in exchange for a seat in the city council of Manila. The incumbent Manila Vice-Mayor will take it a notch higher in the coming polls with a more youthful mayoral outlook for the City of Manila.
- Ara Mina—The former sexy star is rumored to bare her political side in 2010. There are speculations that she is eyeing one of the six council seats in Quezon City.
- Vilma Santos—The grand slam dramatic actress was not dubbed the “Star for All Seasons” for nothing. Throughout her career first in showbiz then in politics, she has proven that her star never fades. In fact, it’s shining brighter than ever, with talk about her possibly seeking the vice presidency in 2010.
Yes, showbiz and politics—in many ways, it’s like love and marriage. Sometimes the two come together magically, and sometimes it all ends in a nasty split as in the case of Erap, booted out of Malacañang three years after his landslide victory in 1998. As the campaign season reaches fever pitch, expect more stars to come out of the closet, so to speak, and to sing and waltz their way to public office.
Entertaining as it all may seem however, we must never be blinded by the klieg lights that shine brightly before us. Come election time, we must prove our political maturity and always bear in mind that we still hold the power to select who will lead our country to the bright future long denied us.
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