MANILA—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported to the Joint Congressional Committee hearing Wednesday that full automated elections will pursue on May 10.
This after the successful lab testing of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in Laguna on January 25, Comelec said adding that the PCOS field testing in nine voting precincts and 10 canvassing centers in the country started today from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The selected areas include parts of Cebu, Benguet, South Cotabato, Naga City, and Pateros-Taguig.
Gene Gregorio of the Comelec said the field test is private and not open to media. He said that they are now undergoing a process of testing for the final configuration.
Meanwhile, on the issue of delayed delivery of the PCOS machines, Comelec chairman Jose Melo said that if not all machines be delivered on time for the polls, there will be areas without automated elections.
He said the elections in these areas will be conducted manually.
Melo said what is important now is for the 82, 000 PCOS machines to be completed before the February 21 deadline. (Sunnex)