The use of vote counting machines (VCMs) from the 2016 and 2019 elections is being eyed for the upcoming 2022 national elections.
COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez explained that this is due to the ₱14 billion-budget cut from their requested fund to purchase new counting machines.
“The thing is kasi submitted na iyong budget namin sa House, submitted na sa Senate (The thing is we have submitted our budget to the House and Senate). We’ll have to wait and see what the bicam comes up with,” Jimenez stated.
The old VCMs will undergo refurbishment with a budget amounting to almost ₱2 billion.
“Refurbishment means walang sira (refurbishment means it is not defective), but we have to bring it up with the speed,” Jimenez explained.
“Obviously, kapag brand new is better. But we’re on the lookout, and mayroon naman tayong contingency means (and we have contingency means). So we think, we can manage naman,” he added.
Jimenez assured that the credibility of the election will not be affected despite using old VCMs three elections in a row.
Senator Risa Hontiveros surmised that additional VCMs will help decongest cluster precincts and maintain social distancing.
Meanwhile, there are now 479,000 voter registrants as of October 21. Registration will be open Mondays through Fridays starting next month. – Report from Allan Francisco
