Automated, Underestimated

I must admit that I underestimated the automated elections. My brother said touchscreen voting would have worked better because the touchscreen equipment was much faster, convenient and user-friendly. And it was not as costly as the PCOS.

We lined up for more than 2 hours under the heat of the sun to make our precious votes. There was a lot of drama in the precincts. The crowd was incessantly complaining about the inconvenience. The so-called authorities—BEIs, Comelec reps and PPCRV seemed disorganized and helpless.

But all the difficulties in the morning was replaced with excitement in the evening when hour by hour, the nation was presented with fast election results. It was far better than the more than a month-long counting. After 1 day some municipalities had already proclaimed winners. Presidentiables already conceded to the leading candidate, Noynoy.

Of course the elctions still have a lot to improve, but for first time I think Comelec did well. And I also salute the Filipinos who held on in the long lines and scorching temperature to fulfill this fundamental responsibility.