As voters we can help by going to the precincts prepared. It would be good to hav a prepared list of your chosen candidates. The goal is to cast our votes as fast as possible so we don't cause any delays for the other voters.

Please make sure to be alert also for anything, but don't be too alert to the point of paranoia. Let's believe in the system. Forget all those claims that there will be massive cheating and that attempts at manipulating the results will be done through the PCOS machines. Nothing could be further from the truth. There's just too many security features for anyone to be able to tinker with the system and not get caught easily.

Attempts to cheat will not occur online or through the machines. They can however be done offline or outside of the automated system itself. Some unscrupulous individuals or groups may try to prevent some voters from exercising their rights. Word on the street is vote buying no longer works the same way as many years ago. Nowadays the strategy is to simply prevent voters of the opposing candidate from appearing at the polling precincts. This may involve pay-offs and in some cases intimidation.

If you happen to notice anything unusual just kep calm and approach the nearest election officer or law enforcer and report to them what you saw. Let the authorities do their job.

Now it can't be stressed enough that all efforts have been taken to educate everyone about the automated system and he procedures involved. If ever you find yourself clueless as to how you should fill out the ballot etcetera etcetera etcetera don't even dare lay the blame on Comelec or Smartmatic-TIM. You have only yourself t blame.

Here are a few resources for you to review:

System Demo

Ballot Template
System Demo

List of Candidates

1. Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi CMD)
2. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party)
3. Manuel B. Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party)
4. Richard J. Gordon (Bagumbayan)
5. Joseph “Erap” Estrada (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO)
6. John Carlos “JC” Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran)
7. Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” A.S. Madrigal (independent)
8. Eddie C. Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas)
9. Nicanor Perlas
10. Vetallano Acosta (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan)

This morning, some 10,400 PCOS or Automated Counting Machines will be delivered at the door step of the Commission on Elections at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.

The current tally of PCOS machines is:

On-Hand / Warehouse                                   =             15,300-pcs

For delivery to warehouse tomorrow    =             10,400-pcs

In-Transit/Sailing (awaiting ETA)             =               4,800-pcs

Awaiting Shipping Docs/Delivery             =             51,700-pcs

Meanwhile, news has come out that the printing of the ballots (an essential component to the 2010 automated polls) may face delays as the Supreme Court's decides on protest cases over the disqualification of a number of candidates.

Here is an excerpt from a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections raised the possibility the Supreme Court would overturn the former’s rulings on disqualified candidates after the ballots had been printed and “throw a monkey wrench” on the preparations for the automated elections in May.

Comelec Chair Jose Melo on Tuesday voiced this apprehension during a National Security Council (NSC) meeting convened by President Macapagal-Arroyo in Malacañang to map out a consensus on ensuring credible elections.

“One problem that was identified is the issue of the disqualification cases, which the Comelec raised. Until these cases are finalized, it’s very difficult to print ballots,” Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said in a briefing.

“What if it has already printed say 10 ballots, and the five or 10 candidates that had been disqualified go to the Supreme Court and are reinstated? That’s what they fear,” Remonde said.

While the issue was beyond its jurisdiction, the NSC believed that the high tribunal would sustain the Comelec’s rulings on the disqualification cases, precluding any reprinting of ballots, Remonde said.

“There was an expression of the sense of the bipartisan, multipartisan National Security Council that the Supreme Court will be persuaded not to throw a monkey wrench into their preparations,” he said.

Well, the commission says there's nothing to worry about. Automated Elections will definitely push through. Don't believe me? Then watch this reassuring clip featuring Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.

That is perfectly okay though. Misinformed people have their place in a democratic society. In the same token, those of us who have already taken the effort to research, analyze and contextualize all the relevant information have ours.

Now, for those of you who are not yet that informed about this poll automation project, I have one suggestion: Do Your Homework. If you're too lazy to do scour the internet for information just go visit http://ehope2010.ph. This site offers loads of poll automation information. It also features a forum where you can vent your misinformed and baseless opinions against the project. Don't worry you won't get unnecessarily dissed in there. I think you might even grow to like it there as you find yourself getting more and more convinced by the facts (as opposed to rumors) that poll automation is the way to go.

Now, for those of you who already support poll automation, I have one request: Help spread positive word about the project. If you have a blog, go and write about why you believe it is worth supporting. If you're any good at making graphics come out with a badge of support that other bloggers can also post on their own sites. If you don't have your own blog you can use your e-mail instead. Just copy and paste any of the pro-poll automation articles online and send out e-mails to your friends (hint: this site is pro-automation).

Let's all help out in the ongoing effort to educate as many voters as possible. Through our efforts we can stop all those rumor mongerers who prefer that we all go back to that primitve system we call manual elections.

Watch these video:

Now to reiterate.

1. Voting With The Modern Ballot Is Easy
2. Do Not Over-Vote

Thre you have it. Just remember the most important thing -- whether under a manual or automated system -- is your vote so use it wisely.

As a legally recognized adult you now have the right to vote. You can now count yourself among the multitude of people all over the world who exercise this right during what is called an election.

In case you haven't heard the next elections will be held on May 2010. That's just a few months from now. If you want to participate then I suggest you start reading up on the issues affecting our country and the many personalities vying for the presidency and other positions.

But wait. Before you do that answer this question: Have you registered yet? I'm guessing you haven't yet because you're a party-going, Emo-loving young adult who occasionally likes to play dumb. Well, I have news for you. The deadline for registration for new voters is on Oct 31. That's just a couple of weeks away. I'm sure though you're not rattled at all because cramming is your standard approach to just about anything.

Now, as a favor to you I'm providing a list of links to relevant information that should help you figure out this registration thing.

general information about registration - http://www.comelec.gov.ph/faqs/faq_reg.html

registration procedure - http://www.comelec.gov.ph/contreg/2010_elections/procedures.html

panic-time support - http://www.comelec.gov.ph/contactus/contactus.html

There that should be enough to lessen your burden. But, in case you still have doubts about registering then spare a few minutes more to view this video from the Ateneo Task Force 2010 and the Loyola Film Center. Watch it. There are lots of good looking people in it.

In case you noticed that video was meant for Ateneo students. But don't let that get in the way of you exercising your patriotic duty. After all the message is kinda universal and applies to all new voters who haven't registered yet just like you.

And, one final thing. Do know that going out to register and vote trumps wearing the national colors on a shirt or something as silly as a dogtag.

You read that right. This is really all about being afraid of something largely unknown (not that there's no information about the project). But then that shouldn't really be a problem. If more people will just make the effort to really understand what this poll automation really is all about then maybe they'' find it easier to placate their fears.

I would find it a real bummer if this poll automation project gets scrapped once again. Experience has already shown us that manual elections is an outdated, inefficient and failure-prone system. Why would anyone continue to want that for this country?

Come on people wake up. Fear of the unknown is a barrier to progress.

Now, if you count yourself among the truly afraid then here's your challenge.  Comelec is inviting all doubters and naysayers to face their fears. According to Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez they are now recruiting volunteers who will act as key speakers and head the public demonstration of the voting and counting machines.

Clearly, this is a great opportunity for all you poll automation critics out there to determine if your fears have any basis at all. So, get on the phone pronto and call the Comelec Education and Information Department at (+632) 525-9294 or email them at bagongbotante@gmail.com.

And don't forget this mantra:

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN IS A BARRIER TO PROGRESS.

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN IS A BARRIER TO PROGRESS.

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN IS A BARRIER TO PROGRESS.

Now in case you're wondering where I get all these information. Well, I get it from the internet, mainstream media (TV, print), telephone directories etcetera. It's all about doing research. You should try it sometime.