Loren On Poll Automation: Is There a Plan B?

NORTHERN SAMAR – CAMPAIGNING TODAY IN CALBAYOG, CATARMAN AND CATBALOGAN, NP-NPC-LDP VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE LOREN LEGARDA SAID SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT POLL AUTOMATION, ESPECIALLY AS POWER OUTAGES ARE BECOMING WORSE HERE DESPITE GOVERNMENT EFFORTS. SHE URGED GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A CONTINGENCY PLAN TO PREVENT A FAILURE OF ELECTIONS.
Northern Samar has been experiencing brownouts for a year now. Of its 24 towns, only 16 are energized.
“To be honest, I am worried about the automation. First, brownouts are becoming longer and more frequent as our power sources are falling below capacity. Sa panahon ng brownout, kahit sinasabi pa nilang battery-operated yung machines, e, pano naman kung ma-low batt?” she said.
“Second, I’ve seen the sample ballot. Ako’y natatakot dahil mukhang kumplikado. Ako’y may pinag-aralan na, at hindi pa rin madaling intindihin yung balota dahil merong bilog, merong mga numero, tapos hahanapin yung apelyido ng tao, medyo maliit yung letra,” Legarda added.
Legarda said the preparations for the country’s first ever automated polls should have been done earlier.
“Minamadali po nila ngayon. Parang hindi na po sapat ang panahon. Dapat yun, Disyembre ay ayos na ayos na. Marso na, at ngayon pa lang nagdi-dissiminate ng impormasyon. At the very least, they should have a Plan B,” she said.