It was almost the same time last year when history was in the making and it was about to unfold for the first time ever in the Philippines. The Filipinos had its inaugural plebiscite automation. I feel happy and proud to be one of those who made the Automated Elections happen as I am an organic employee of the Commission.
Reminiscing about it today, by hindsight, a lot of things should be given thorough consideration. This paves the way for further improvements and a much better impact amongst the voting populace. Though the voter’s turn-out was relatively high (at 84%), the techniques adopted by the Board of Election Inspectors to accommodate the long queue of voters was dismal. They can not entirely be blamed though as there are 1000 voters per one Precinct Counting Optical Scan (PCOS) machine.
Despite numerous criticisms prior to the implementation, the Commission prepared its Field Offices for the full Automation in May 2010.
Here in GenSan, we conducted our Trainings with the teachers as early as January. Handling the PCOS machines was as easy as handling a cellphone. In fact, some muttered it’s a lot easier. COMELEC- Gensan was able to declare the winning candidates in less than 12 hours. In my experience in the previous elections, it would take us more than two (2) weeks before winners were declared.
With Mommy blogger Star at breakfast before the month-long training commenced
Yours truly with my Co-Election Assistant while the Smartmatic Provincial Coordinator was looking on. We were helping out the City Election Officer in preparing the Statements of Votes before winners were declared
Seriously doing my job despite the puffy eyes and bulging eyebags for lack of sleep
The employees with the Boss after the winners were declared
Having said that, I salute the Government for supporting the Automated Elections all the way.
Related Article: Time and Tide Waits for No Man
My Share For:
Wednesday Whites | Happiness Is…
General Santos Time
26 Comments
May 6th, 2011 at 12:15 am
Di ba nakakanerbyos magtrabaho in your line of work, parang nakakastress lol.. Great experience indeed. Thanks for taking time to join this week Lainy.
Rose recently posted..Prayer Request
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 12:20 am
Hi Rose! It’s always a pleasure joining Nostalgia. Sobrang nakakastress nga etong work na eto kaya di na normal ang aking BP, sigh!
Anyways, it’s a great working experience. Savor it while it lasts, LOL!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2011 at 1:46 am
I never experience thi one hehe. Happy Nostalgia.
gengen recently posted..Few Weeks Old Nathan
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 6:08 am
Sayang, Mommy Gen. But anyways, may hi-tech naman siguro ang election wherever you are in the US.
[Reply]
May 6th, 2011 at 8:01 am
I’m sure it was definitely an experience to remember. Medyo nakakakaba lang talaga. Thanks for visiting me. Have a great day!
Stef recently posted..Reaching The Top
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:59 am
Hi Stef! It was because it’s now part of Philippine History. It was a pleasure to have visited you.
May you have a terrific day ahead!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2011 at 10:16 am
dissappointed ako talaga sa auto election nato.. I was all armed with camera and all – to my dismay wala yung counter… yung malaking parang garbage that collects the ballot lang… sad me… but great experience for you… thanks dear for dropping at my nostalgia post.
vernz recently posted..Stones to repel negative energies
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:58 am
I am sorry to know about that. What counter was that, Vernz? Weren’t you able to serve as BEI? The counter you meant must be the machine used by the teachers to make it running for the Poll. The voters had no hand in that one except for holding the ballot and to have the ballots fed into the machine for their votes to be counted.
[Reply]
May 6th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I envy you…we, Indonesian people, still do it manually here…
Thanks for dropping by
lina@women’s perspectives recently posted..Sky Watch- Views from Sentul Hill
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Oh! Didn’t know Indonesia still are doing the elections manually.
No reason to feel envious. We hope the government would still be willing to allocate funds for the automation in the 2013 mid-term elections
[Reply]
May 6th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Wow, that is literally being part of our nation’s history. : ) Visiting from nostalgia.
jeng recently posted..Mommy Moments – Preggy Tales
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 7:07 pm
You said it, Jeng!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
You’ve done a great job pero parang nakaka stress naman ano? hehe. Thanks for visiting my site.
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Thank you, Cookie. Sobrang nakakastress nga talaga, Sigh!
[Reply]
May 6th, 2011 at 9:06 pm
For as long as you’re compensated, bahala na ma stress. Hehe. Happy Nostalgia, Laine!
[Reply]
Lainybelle Reply:
May 6th, 2011 at 10:15 pm
LOL! Dili pud mabawi Lynn kung balik-balik sa ospital, LOL!
[Reply]
May 7th, 2011 at 12:44 am
That was easy to follow pero there were precincts na sobrang haba ang linya good thing sa akin walang tao hehehe
[Reply]
May 7th, 2011 at 2:14 am
wow! speedy process jud pag electronic…unlike sa una…sos daghan pa mamatay kay tulison ang balota…mabuang ko…eehhee!
nahan ko in-ani nga work…lol!
dhemz recently posted..JPIA Shirt
[Reply]
May 7th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
heartscontentofamama.comWhat a tough job you got through Lainy. Glad to know that there are electronic voting system there in Philippines. People who doe s not know about computer needs to have a seminar about it though.
MY MM and nostalgia
[Reply]
May 8th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
sus na nostalgia naman ako..I was registred at Capiz during that election pero nakabalik na ako sa hometown ko in bacolod. to experience that kahit na 5months buntis na ako nagbyahe pa ako talaga sa Roxas capiz to vote.. tapos half day akong nakapila..I bought foods na para if gutumin si buntis may pagkain na..mag isa poa ako nun ha..hahaha..
while queing i do word search..weee!
[Reply]
May 8th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Late visiting from Nostalgia!
happy mothers day!
My Nostalgia
[Reply]
May 12th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
glad that the elections are finally automated. it slashed a lot of waiting time as to the election results.
sorry lainy, i only got the chance to bloghop tonight and see your nostalgia entry. hehe.
regards!
Sheryl of georyl.com recently posted..The Latest Terminator 5 Movie Auditions
[Reply]
November 19th, 2011 at 3:43 am
Wow, high tech na kasi naka automated na pala:)
Visiting from WW!! Hope you can visit em too..
http://www.loveablecassandra.com/2011/11/wednesday-whites-003-ralph-lauren-shoes.html
Leah H. recently posted..SpongeBob SquarePants Hot Cocoa Mug Set
[Reply]
November 19th, 2011 at 12:23 pm
I miss to vote
I do not know how long was my last vote. I am glad tht you help with the election, that must be really cool Sis Lainy. THank you for sharing. Dropping some love for Wednesday Whites, hope that you can return the favor too.
Jessica recently posted..Switch to save your bills
[Reply]
November 20th, 2011 at 5:22 pm
i agree, that’s a tough job. quite scary, too. Thanks for joining WW!
raya recently posted..Protection guaranteed
[Reply]
November 21st, 2011 at 8:33 am
White galore kaayo oi! I can’t forget that election jud kay bisan Overseas ko, naka-vote japon ko.
Lamp Posts and Philippine Flag
Sheriff’s Mug
Rcel recently posted..Where are the Lovers?
[Reply]