Comelec conducts the final testing and sealing of vote counting machines at the Pasong Tamo Elementary School in Quezon City on October 25, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file 

MANILA (UPDATED) – Election watchdog Democracy Watch Philippines has urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to be transparent in the post-qualification screening of the joint venture of South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. for next year’s automated voting systems.

Miru is the lone bidder for the 2025 automated election system (AES).

In a statement, Democracy Watch Philippines said it has asked Comelec’s Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) to provide a list on the firm’s technical specifications.

Comelec tests ballot boxes of Miru, lone bidder for 2025 polls

“DemWatchPH’s scrutiny extends to critical aspects such as data encryption, ensuring the immutability of logs, the secure transmission of results, and the system’s ability to reset to zero before use. A failure in any of these areas could significantly compromise the 2025 elections,” the statement read.

The group’s checklist, which it described as “enhancements” on the process, include the following:

• • Status of the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) as a prototype.
• • Adherence to specified encryption standards.
• • Capability of maintaining an immutable audit log.
• • Precise information on the “ladderization” in the transmission process.
• • Clarification on the paper thickness used by the ACM, conforming to Comelec specifications to prevent ballot jams and misfeed.
• • Verification that the re-zero feature of the voting machine strictly follows Comelec’s regulations.

This, Democracy Watch said, aims to “ensure that stakeholders are adequately equipped to comprehend how all requirements are evaluated and declared compliant or non-compliant.”

Watchdog urges thorough background check of Korean firm bidding for AES deal

In a text message to ABS-CBN News, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the post-qualification evaluation is still underway and that “there is no award yet” on who would conduct the automated elections.

“Surely, all of these things will be considered by our Special Bids and Awards Committee and they will make the right and proper recommendation to the En Banc,” Garcia said.

“Whatever the final outcome is, the welfare of the people is of paramount importance and the credibility and integrity of the electoral process will reign. Our commitment, our pledge,” he added.

Comelec last week conducted several tests on Miru’s ballot boxes, with its spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco saying that all parameters and technical specifications for this will be checked.

Laudiangco said the joint venture has passed all tests so far.

WHAT MIRU SAID

In a statement on Thursday, Miru lauded Comelec for the transparent screening in the post-qualification process. Election watchdogs and observers, it noted, were able to participate in this process.

Miru said passing the tests so far proved their machines were "built to the specifications of the Philippine Comelec."

It added that this demonstrated the technology they have used "successfully for about twenty-five years in several countries all over the world."

"Again, we look forward to further demonstrating our capabilities to Comelec and the Filipino people with full transparency as the country upgrades its electoral systems," Miru said.