Poll body trains election inspectors
Monday, March 8, 2010
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ISABELA CITY, Basilan -- The poll body started Monday a series of training for the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) on the use of Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines in this province.
Provincial Election Supervisor Roberto Dela Peña said the training is aimed to equip the teachers, who will serve as BEIs on the May 10 national and local automated elections, with the knowledge on how to operate the PCOS machines.
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Dela Peña said a total of 692 BEIs from all over the province will undergo the seminar, which would end on the 27th of this month starting Monday.
This province comprises 11 towns, namely: Akbar, Al-Barka, Hadji Mutamad, Lantawan, Maluso, Mohammad Ajul, Sumisip, Tabuan Lasa, Tipo-Tipo, Tuburan and Ungkaya Pukan, as well as Isabela City and Lamitan City.
Dela Peña said the training composed of two parts -- lectures and hands-on -- in order for the teachers to better understand the PCOS machines' mechanics and operations.
“They will be taught on the procedures from voting, counting and transmission of results,” Dela Peña said.
He also said the BEIs will have to take and pass an examination after the training in order for them to be able to serve on the May 10 national and local automated elections.
“They have to pass the examination or else they will not be certified as eligible to serve on election day,” he said.
He said those who will fail the requirement in acquiring certification will be replaced.
Meanwhile, election lawyer Quirino Esguerra Jr. lauded the Commission on Elections for undertaking such training to ensure the conduct of peaceful, honest and credible local and national elections in May 10.
Esguerra said the BEIs should know the “ins and outs” of the PCOS machines that will be used in the May 10 polls.
“Hitches will be avoided because of this training and because they are put into actual usage of the machines as of now,” he added. (Bong Garcia)
