Comelec urged to prepare for automated 2010 polls

Senate committee on constitutional amendments chairman Richard Gordon urged the Commission on Elections to start its preparation for an automated election in 2010.

Gordon is the author of the Automated Elections Law that was already tested during the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao election held last Monday.

During a press conference yesterday, Gordon reported the success of the automated election in ARMM and said it was a great help to the teachers who greatly benefited from the quick process.

Gordon has already filed Resolution 567 urging the Comelec to commence in preparations for the full automation of the 2010 presidential elections.

Despite minor problems encountered by the automated system, Gordon said the Comelec could find solutions to eliminate its flaws.

He said the Comelec has no more excuses not to use the modern system of voting since the first automated polls in ARMM was a success.

Last August 11, Gordon went to Cotabato to personally oversee the conduct of the election.

Meanwhile, the senator expressed disapproval in the federalization of the government unless the people will be fully informed about it.

He said he would not allow a change in the Constitution until the people would fully know their responsibilities under the new type of government.

“I don’t want people to vote for something they do not understand,” Gordon said.

He said he is in favor of the country embracing the federal form of government but only after the 2010 presidential election.

“Let it be an issue in the coming elections. My proposal is a constitutional assembly after the election,” Gordon said.

Having a constitutional change after the election would prevent people from accusing the president of using charter change to extend her term, he explained.

Gordon, on the other hand, stressed that he has not yet announced his presidential candidacy for the 2010 election. But he said he can handle the position more than those who are planning to run.

When asked whether he is running or not, Gordon said: “I am not in a hurry to run.”

He said it is just like saying, “if it’s not us, then who? If not now, then when?” — Jessica Ann Pareja/LPM