Pcos transmission tests go without a hitch: Comelec

THE field transmission test yesterday of the Commission of Elections (Comelec) was successful, except for the delay in the transmission of election returns from Lapu-Lapu City where there was no signal.

Comelec 7 Director Temie Lambino assured that the commission has three options in transmitting election returns on election day, in case one of these fails.

One is through their present way using a modem run through Smart, Globe or Sun network, another is sent through broadband global area network (Bgan) or portable satellite, and the third is through manual delivery of compact flash (CF) cards to the provincial or city board of canvassers.

Lambino said the delivery of CF cards is their last resort, if everything fails.

The CF card is placed in an envelope, sealed and signed by the board of canvassers.

The envelope is then sent to the provincial or city board of canvassers. From there the CF card is inserted to the card reader attached to the canvassing and consolidation system (CCS) laptops, for transmission to the national board of canvassers.

Poor signal

Comelec officials yesterday learned that the communication signal inside Lapu-Lapu City Hall, specifically the session hall, is poor. They will report this to higher office so proper action will be done.

On the issue of disqualified candidates, Lambino said, the Comelec now is most likely printing ballots with the list of candidates.

As to Cebu City north district Councilor Jun Pe, who is now running for councilor in the south district, Lambino said the candidates name may have already been printed in the ballot.

However, Lambino assured that the commission is still taking up the issue.

In case, the Commission comes up with a decision unfavorable to Pe, Lambino said there is a provision in Comelec rules that in case of disqualification or death of candidate, the party may field a replacement, provided he has the same surname.

Transmission

The field test yesterday involved transmitting of information or “results” from the precinct count optical scan (Pcos) machines to the Lapu-Lapu City board of canvassers, then to the Cebu Provincial board of canvassers.

Also, results were transmitted from the Pcos machines in the voting precincts in Lahug and Camp Lapu-Lapu to the Cebu City board of canvassers.

The City and Provincial board of canvassers, which are equipped with CCS laptops, will then transmit election results to the National Board of Canvassers in Manila.

Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said they only encountered transmission problems during the 2010 election in Tabogon town, so they might install a Bgan or portable satellite in the area.

Lambino assured that all 34 copies of election returns are similar, and a copy is distributed to different organizations, such as the citizen’s election arm, media and political parties.

If one gets lost during the transmission, the Comelec still has 33 copies to cross check for authenticity.