The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has remained firm on the integrity of the Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) in the upcoming May 9 polls.

Lawyer Aleli Abamonga-Dayo, Comelec Supervisor in Misamis Oriental, in a workshop demonstration on Saturday, said that while there were reports of alleged technical discrepancies in the previous elections, there were no actual cases prospered that proved there was election fraud.

“For the fifth time we have been using VCMs, and still there was no proof (of election fraud), all remained (just) allegations,” she said.

Dayo provided detailed information on the voting process and functions of the VCM to participants during the event organized by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club in partnership with Hanns Seidel Foundation.

“We also have Random Manual Audits after the precincts will be closed, which will count manually the ballots cast by voters and compare them to the (digitally-printed) election returns,” she said.

Dayo also said there are protocols set by Comelec that would ensure a secured transmission of data that carries the votes from the precincts to the national databases.

Meanwhile, Iligan City Acting City Election Officer, lawyer Joel Dexter Nagtalon, said the abundance of campaign materials does not guarantee a win for candidates.

“For me, signs and campaign paraphernalia will not make them win over other candidates. What can make them win is their platform that they can convince the voters that they should be chosen to serve the city of Iligan,” he said in vernacular.

Earlier this week, Iligan City’s Task Force Baklas composed of Comelec and other government agencies conducted another “Operation Baklas” or the removal of “unlawful” election materials posted in prohibited areas. (PNA)