By Ferdinand G. Patinio
MANILA, Aug 19 (PNA) — There is a slim chance for the old Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to be used in the May 9, 2016 polls.
This, after Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that they will look into the proposals for the repair of the voting units in only four months.
With this, Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista noted there is a chance that the refurbishment of the PCOS machines be utilized in case the lease of the all new Optical Mark Reader (OMR) machines is stopped by the Supreme Court (SC).
“Commissioner Al Parreno was tasked by the en banc to come up with the protocol as to how to explore this possibility of Dermalog or any other group that wants to try and refurbish these machines,” he said.
The poll body chief added, “In fact, that was also taken up by the en banc and we are open to it and we are looking to explore that possibility.”
Last week, disqualified bidder Dermalog Identification Systems – Avante Tech International Technologies – Stone of David said they are ready to refurbish the 81,896 PCOS machines.
“If all the argument has been done by, for example, September 15, then we can have the 80,000 delivered by December,” said Kevin Chung, CEO of Avante Tech International Technologies in a press briefing.
The joint venture was the lone bidder in the failed second round of public bidding for the refurbishment project.
On Thursday, the Comelec announced that they will lease all new OMR machines by combining the 23,000 and the 70,977 units for the 2016 polls due to lack of time to repair the PCOS units.
The poll body said that they will refurbish the PCOS machines and intend to use them in the 2019 midterm polls.
There are several petitions pending before the High Court against the Comelec’s automation plans for next year’s elections. (PNA)