A few months after the 2022 Elections, former officials of the poll watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) continue to demand an explanation from the Comelec for the rapid transmission of the results of the election. vote.
In a forum in Mandaluyong City this Thursday, former DICT Usecs addressed the media. Eliseo Rio Jr, former NAMFREL Chairman Gus Lagman, and Franklin Ysaac, former president of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, and introduced themselves as the Truth and Transparency Trio, or TNTrio.
Although they did not know each other before, they now came together because of the united advocacy to ensure a smooth election.
The group said that there were observations they made in the election this May that show irregularities.
This included the very fast transmission of initial election results where over 20 million votes were instantly counted for the leading Presidential candidates.
Rio said that if the Comelec’s General Instructions are to be followed in the last election, the Comelec should be able to print eight copies of the election returns (ERs) before transmitting the results.
Explanation on quick Election 2022 results transmission sought
In the time and motion study, he said it was impossible for the members of the election board to print the required copy of the ERs in a very fast time, especially since the printer used in the election was slow.
He said they have written to the Comelec twice to ask for an explanation regarding this – the first was on July 15, followed by August 5. But the commission has yet to receive an answer.
The three made it clear that they were not questioning the election results themselves. They said they just wanted a clear explanation of the transmission of the polling results.
According to Rio, if they do not get an explanation or answer from the Comelec, their plan includes going to court to oblige the commission to explain to the public.
The group said they are concerned about the recent fire at the Information Technology Department of the Comelec on the 7th floor of the Palacio del Gobernador.
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