|
 For
the first time, Far Eastern University will utilize a
computerized system in the upcoming Far Eastern University
Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) and institute student
council elections this February 29.
Electronic voting (E-voting) will change the traditional
election process where ballots are used. E-voting is an
electronic-based voting procedure, almost similar to that of the
faculty evaluation process. The machine-assisted election is
introduced to maximize the use of computers within the
University and to meet the demands for immediate election
results.
“We are directing the way to efficiency,” said Dr. Marcon Espino,
student coordinator of the Office of the Student Affairs and
Community Services (OSACS). Lesser man power, time consumption
and resources including paper for ballots, markers, tally
sheets, would be necessary to proceed with the elections.
According to Espino, E-voting also secures the safety and
accuracy of the results. The privacy of the results will be
protected as it is stored in a computer database managed by the
Computer Services Department (CSD).
E-voting
process
Selected computer laboratories will be available for students to
vote as posted by the University COMELEC. Each institute would
be assigned a certain computer laboratory which would serve as
their precinct. Enablers, who are University faculty, would
serve as the controllers for each precinct.
Voters must present their identification card (ID) to the
enablers to be registered. In the event in which a student has a
damaged or lost ID, one has to proceed to OSACS and present
one’s Certificate of Registration (COR) to be permitted to vote.
Enablers will not allow any student to vote without an ID or a
permit from OSACS.
Setting the
trend
Professor Dolores Reyes, University COMELEC chair, said that the
automated election minimizes the time allotted to the counting
of votes benefiting all parties and the organizers. It also
economizes manpower as it only involves few students compared to
the manual process.
Moreover, she said that automated election can prevent errors in
the counting of ballots. This is possible because a vote is
counted immediately in the database after the student has voted.
“The beauty of the automated election is that students are now
brought to the 21st century because that is how the western
people vote and we also surpass the government in using this
system of election,” said Reyes.
Both sides
When asked about his view regarding the automated election,
Weber Amores, candidate for FEUCSO president said “good, at
least walang outer reinforcement on cheating.”
Amores also disclosed that an automated election would give
equality to all parties. “This is fair enough. Automated
election is fair enough,” he said.
On
the other side, Ira Montecastro, rival of Amores under
Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan (SAMASA), said
that they are against the new system unless the organizers would
assure the security of the students’ votes.
“We are against, but then if these contentions are delivered or
addressed properly and appropriately then we do not hinder the
process,” said Montecastro.
According to Montecastro, the new system of election was a
sudden and was unexpected. “It was sudden. Though we’re hearing
it, I was informed not as a FEUCSO but as a representative of
the party,” she said. She also questioned the present
implementation of the system, citing the plan have already been
prepared last year.
“On our part, the SAMASA, we adhere then, however, there is a
lack of preparation, but then we are not closing our doors for
the explanations why and what will be the mechanisms of this new
system,” said Montecastro.
“If that’s the case, why can’t we hold it for next year, and if
in next year we are really looking forward to it prepare for it
for a long period of time,” she added.
For both parties, the new system is beneficial because they do
not need to stay long in the University to wait for the results
and have a hard time in gathering poll watchers.
Mediating
agent
FEUCSO act as the mediator between the parties. The main
responsibility of the organization is to assure the sanctity of
votes.
Speaking as the FEUCSO president, Montecastro said that FEUCSO
is trying to be neutral. “We are trying to be unbiased, doing so
we are not engaging with the election, papasok lang kami
if it already concerns the studentry,” she said.
FEUCSO is after the security of the student’s votes. “We are
after the efficiency of the system of the election so if the
computerized election will assure the security of the votes and
efficiency of the system so there’s nothing wrong with the
improvement,” said Montecastro.
Previous
elections compared
Last year, ballots were used and a lot of manpower was needed to
tally and protect the results of the election. “Mas mahirap
dati kasi minsan inaabot hanggang 2 a.m. para ma-tally lang ang
votes,” said Espino.
“Siguro ang magiging disadvantage lang nito ay pag-nagkakaroon
ng system shutdown or power supply cut off,”
he added.
Jane Almasin |
