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Saturday, April 05, 2008
Melo defends self on delay of poll automation (3:35 p.m.)
MANILA -- Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Jose Melo said Saturday he should not be blamed if the plan to automate the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (Armm) polls in August will not push through.
He is reacting on the statement of Senator Richard Gordon which threatens Melo that he will not get his confirmation with the Commission on Appointments (CA) if he failed to automate the Armm elections.
Melo admitted that his priority when he assumed the post last month is to modernize the 2010 presidential election polls.
He noted that Comelec, as far as the automation plan is concerned, is experiencing delays particularly on the bidding on how to computerize the August polls.
He was just starting to feel his seat as Chairman of the Comelec but the responsibility of modernizing the Armm polls is already put on his shoulders, he said.
Earlier, the Comelec Chairman said that time is not on their side as far as the implementation of an automated system is concerned.
He said he respects the opinion of the senator as everyone is entitled to one.
He, however, is still optimistic that they will be able to modernize the August 11 polls.
Armm is composed of six provinces namely: Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
About 1.7 million voters are expected to cast their votes to elect one governor and one vice-governor as well as 27 members of the Regional Legislative Assembly. (FP/Sunnex) |
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