MANILA, Sept. 23 (PNA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has extended until Sept. 30 the filing of written requests to participate by parties or groups interested in conducting local source code review in connection with the automated election system for the May 9, 2016 national and local elections.
In a statement, the poll body said that interested parties or groups are required to file a written request before the Commission’s Steering Committee signifying their intent to participate in the local source code review.
The written reques shall be filed during regular office hours at the Office of Commissioner Christian Robert Lim, chairperson of the Steering Committee.
Those who are qualified to conduct the source code review are: political parties or coalition of parties duly registered by the Commission or legitimate organizations or groups duly accredited by the Commission, which include duly accredited citizens’ arms; two Information Technology (IT) groups recommended by the Comelec Advisory Council which are known for their expertise, integrity and independence in the IT community; or host educational institution.
In Comelec Resolution No. 9987, promulgated on Sept. 14, 2015, the poll body said the conduct of a local source code review “seeks to provide interested parties and groups an opportunity to inspect the source codes in the Automated Elections System.”
Covered in the review are the source codes of the Vote Counting Machine (VCM), the Consolidated Canvassing System (CCS) and the Election Management System (EMS).
“The source code review shall involve two phases. The first phase covers the review of the baseline source codes. The second phase covers the review of the source codes after the systems have been customized and configured according to the preference and needs of the Commission,” the resolution added.
Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9369 directs that “once an Automated Election System Technology is selected for implementation, the Commission shall promptly make the source code available and open to any interested party or group which may conduct their own review thereof. The conduct of the sufficient source code review by any interested party will enhance public acceptance of and build public confidence in the Automated Election System.
Originally, the deadline for the submission of the intent to participate in the local source code review was Sept. 22.
The review will start on Oct. 1 at the De La Salle University in Manila. (PNA)