Comelec to establish PCOS demo centers nationwide

The Commission on Elections (COmelec) is looking to establish 23 demonstration centers of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines nationwide for the voting public or those people who are interested to learn more about the technology that will be used in the May 13, 2013 midterm polls.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said that this is the first time they are opening such center to the public which is different from what they did in 2010, where people or groups need to ask for an appointment before a demo will be given.

"Kasi nung 2010, kapag may request, punta tayo, which is fine lang naman. But we want more people to see the demo so we are opening it to the public," he said.

Jimenez noted that the purpose of the demo center is to put up a fixed location, where people can come without the need for prior appointment.

"Ibig sabihin we are going to accommodate not just the special interest people, school, media but also walk-ins. People who walk in will be given this demo also. Sa tingin natin, mas importante na maabot lahat dahil ibig sabihin may interest talaga sila kasi pumasok sila e. They will be propagators of this info also," he added.

Jimenez said that tentatively the majority of the demo center will be put up in the National Capital Region (NCR).

"Right now, tentatively, bulk is NCR because dito maraming info needs. Sa provinces, pwede naman mag-ikot yung ating mga field officials," he said.

The Comelec official said they intend to set the centers up this month.

"Ang scheme is may pcos machine. May stand-by presenters/mentor. Everyday at regular interval, may pcos demonstration. Ang pcos demo will probably last for about 30-45 minutes. Kung wala tanong, mabilis matatapos," he explained.

The demo also include basic PCOS operation for the people to know on how to turn on/off the machines.The voting experience, the voter filling out the ballot, addressing the machine and how to address the problem if the machine rejected the ballot.

"Makikita rin kung ano gagawin kapag ni-reject ang balota nila, very important na pag reject, aware sa pwede gawin on their own to address the problem of a rejected ballot bago magtawag for help. Normally kasi nadi-disrupt ang flow ng voting kapag may hysterical na botante kasi ayaw tanggapin balota niya. Pero, if the voters are armed with knowledge, maka-cut down natin yun," Jimenez said.

He said that there will also be a FAQ/forum after the demo. (PNA)