“Workers are gravely concerned over the massive malfunctioning of VRVMs and VCMs which has led to disenfranchisement of voters and pose a higher risk of electoral fraud. We call the attention of the COMELEC to take immediate responsible measures to ensure voters of the overall integrity of the electoral process and that voters are not disenfranchised,” said WE Watch spokesperson Charity Sicad.
Reports from WE Watch volunteers showed that VRVMs and VCMs in Don Quentin Paredes School in Anonas, Hulo Integrated School in Mandaluyong, Dasmariñas East Integrated National High school and Pag-asa National High School in Cavite, Bagong Pag-asa Elementary School in Quezon City kept on malfunctioning since the opening of the precincts. Workers also endured long queues in Nagkaisang Nayon Elementary school due to slow process of verification.
WE Watch claimed that the massive technical malfunctions has deprived workers their right to vote and advance the workers’ electoral agenda. The malfunctions have undeniably affected the credibility of the elections.
“The Comelec promised that the AES would result in a fair, clean, orderly and credible election but these malfunctions proved otherwise. It is not acceptable that the Comelec has spent billions of pesos for a malfunctioning Automated Electoral System that not only deprived our citizens their right to vote but also makes the results of this elections dubious,” Sicad said.
The labor election watchdog meanwhile blamed these technical malfunctions to Smartmatic’s monopoly over Philippine elections and the profit-oriented multi-billion peso purchase of Comelec.
Reference: Charity Sicad Hababag, WE Watch Spokesperson
Workers Electoral Watch (WE Watch) is a broad network of worker-based electoral watch group composed of unions, workers organizations and individuals. Watchdog since 2010. Member of AES Watch and Kontra Daya. Hosted by the Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research.
