Poll watchdogs PPCRV, NAMFREL, welcomes SCOTP ruling on voter receipts

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Accredited poll watchdog group Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is convinced that the latter is in a difficult situation as far as the preparations for the forthcoming elections, particularly the order of the Supreme Court of the Philippines (SCOTP) to issue a voter receipt.

According to PPCRV national chairman Henrietta de Villa, whatever the situation, the poll body is in the implementation of the order. “Difficult but doable,” she said.

The country’s ambassador to Vatican added, “The decision to issue receipts has to be followed. Don’t think SC(OTP) will reconsider or if Comelec will try for an motion for reconsideration. But the ruling also specified receipt should not leave the precinct but dropped in a box.”

With this, she called on the voters to be obedient and the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) and their poll watchers to be vigilant.

Meanwhile, Eric Alvia, Secretary General of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) lauded the decision as it would enhance the transparency and ensure the credibility of the elections.

Alvia added, “However, we must still closely monitor the VVPATs guidelines & implementation to attain its real purpose.”

Also, the Kontra Daya considered the ruling as a positive development, but the poll body needs to address other outstanding issues such as the source code review and the testing of the transmission and canvassing systems.

“The verification forms or receipts allow us to check if the machine was able to properly read our votes. It’s another thing if the automated polls will accurately count our votes due to existing vulnerabilities. In a tight electoral contest, such issues will be crucial. Let us continue to be vigilant,” the group said in a statement. (PNA / Ferdinand G. Patinio )

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