2010 Automated Elections: Are we ready?

Hope for the best and expect for the worst. The Philippines yet, has many more hurdles to conquer before it succeeds in electing the 14th president of the Republic.

The Commission on Elections as of now has approved to have the P11.3 billion fund for the automation of the upcoming 2010 national elections. And it is already time to reinforce Republic Act 8436 entitling COMELEC to conduct the said automation. All is set up. But until now, the public still mistrusts the try our government will be giving. Should we pursue automated elections then?

First, Filipinos fear the misuse of the machines and other probable conflicts it may cause us, especially to our old ones who have limited knowledge of using the computer in spite of globalization and the up rise of technology.

Second, IT specialists believe that the counting machines are more likely to malfunction despite of numerous testings conducted. The skepticism as well of the legislature highly affects every decision that the Commission on Elections will be making.

Third, different sectors including the Makati Business Club worries over delays caused by the late delivery of the machines that we will be using. It is feared that this automation poll project of COMELEC might fail and just fall back to the traditional manual counting if the new system was not in place by May.

Lastly, such conflict and unrest could give President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo reasons to declare the most dreaded failure of elections which will make her questionably stay in position beyond the expiration of her term on June. Now, are we prepared?

The automation, however also brings forth a big change in Philippine history. If it is to pursue just like what COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo promises to the public, the country would be able to be in track together with other highly developed nations towards growth and development. And the credibility of the computerization is of big help to stop ballot-buying and other forms of cheating.

A lot of ifs and consequences are at stake here. Any wrong move would ruin everything. In spite of all the doubts, we think, an attempt for change that would carry the country to progress is and would never be in vain.