YPS

Well it seems that the illogicals are at it again.

Screaming bloody murder over the ballot folders, you would think that there was something ANOMALOUS about the whole deal.

From all that I’ve heard there seems to be none. Other than the fact that we will be spending close to a billion pesos (700million odd) there seems to be nothing wrong about the whole deal ( per se).

Lets see what the chain of events that precipitated this purchase:

1. There is a decision to partially automate. This requires the printing of all candidates on a paper ballot to be filled up by the voter, fed into a machine, read, tabulated and finally consolidated. The purpose is to speed up the election counting process.

2. The effect of partial automation is the length of the ballot. Measuring 25 inches long it is the longest ballot weve ever encountered.

3. Because of the call by some sectors to improve the security and anonymity aspect of the voting process (baka masilip), concern was shown that the PHYSICAL length of the ballot MIGHT allow the neighboring voter to see an individuals ballots. This would compromise the voters security that vote buyers need. To explain further..if I buy your ballot or vote…all I have to do is pair you with my “watcher” who will observe your votes and make sure you vote for me.

4. In response the COMELEC commissions ( actually its an unsolicited offer)to produce a ballot secrecy folder. Measuring more than 25inches long and made of heavier material ( it will be used at least 50 times during the day) it has a tagged cost of 380 pesos.

Now it’s a simple matter of multiplying the cost per folder over number of units to be purchased.

Units to be purchased is a simple matter of taking the total number of precincts by the total number of seats recommended by COMELEC.

It’s worth mentioning that the Comelec, in their computation of UNITS to purchased, uses 22 chairs per precinct. This is a good thing because YouthVote recommended 20 plus chairs per precinct versus the initial 10 chairs that was specified. This will increase that chances of the 1000 voters being accommodated on election day.

So was there anything anomalous about the deal? Not from this side of the fence.

Were the folders overpriced? Probably not but you can do your own investigating by going to your favorite office supply store and check out how much the PLASTIC BINDERS cost. Check the size of the folder versus that size needed to accommodate 25 inches of paper and do a rough material estimate.

Were the folders needed? I don’t know but it was the screamers who asked for it so thank you to the Comelec to try to address the issue.

Was the COMELEC in any way wrong? I don’t think so. In fact I think this is one of the mode defensible purchases the Comelec has made. Unfortunately the Comelec is so gun shy about being caught doing something wrong that they bow to public pressure EVEN on the things they do right.

Unless someone can prove otherwise ( like maybe a COMELEC official being part owner of this company that was to supply the folders) , the only victim here is the person who ( according to him) mortgaged everything he owns to buy the materials and equipment ( 500million pesos worth) to start manufacturing the folders AFTER receiving the green light from COMELEC.

From what I hear he will sue the COMELEC for damages.

I hope he wins.