tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62094993323540996742024-03-05T09:35:36.660-08:00e-lected blog (a view on electronic voting around the world).E-lected addresses issues related to electronic voting, auditable elections and how automated election systems bring transparency and efficiency to democracies.E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comBlogger332125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-9233121213279162402024-02-13T13:34:00.000-08:002024-02-14T13:39:35.962-08:00Pakistan’s recent election mess: A sign it is time to modernize its elections<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMfxIXhSu0POm6hMw5nor_nUtfdmdtXQhG8hp_16mwE6cTJAzuUGKgP9lXe4bHvQgkaN5UIZlu3iW5-yIv5lekuXLnrV8H0JVPe3LsiGgOuQk9qFFQPAE0574tWYTGl30LP3uD3sqruzvaHHt8dib3Vi_ilun4aaNuuVovCZ71qSclhmFbeuuVFK8ifY/s6000/shamsher-ali-niazi-PLly7PGAHjY-unsplash.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMfxIXhSu0POm6hMw5nor_nUtfdmdtXQhG8hp_16mwE6cTJAzuUGKgP9lXe4bHvQgkaN5UIZlu3iW5-yIv5lekuXLnrV8H0JVPe3LsiGgOuQk9qFFQPAE0574tWYTGl30LP3uD3sqruzvaHHt8dib3Vi_ilun4aaNuuVovCZ71qSclhmFbeuuVFK8ifY/s320/shamsher-ali-niazi-PLly7PGAHjY-unsplash.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>As election results trickled in at a snail’s pace, allegations of rigging reached a crescendo and erupted into swaths of violence across the country. Pakistan’s most recent elections were a perfect recipe for disaster, casting an ominous shadow over the future of the young democracy.</p>It took authorities <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/pakistan-awaits-final-results-3-days-after-elections-were-held/3133824" target="_blank">three days after the polls closed</a> to announce the results, a delay that put democracy in danger amid bitter and impassioned cries of electoral fraud.<br /><br />This recent episode is fueling fresh debate about election modernization, and how it could have averted the disaster. The country is not new to the idea, having mulled this initiative for years. Sadly, the plan was mothballed when political noise became too overwhelming.<br /><br />President Arif Alvi, who is at the forefront of the e-voting advocacy, <a href="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2457821/amp" target="_blank">laments Pakistan’s missed opportunity to prevent the crisis.</a> In a tweet, he rues:<br /><br />“Remember 'our' long struggle for Electronic Voting Machines. EVM had paper ballots that could be counted separately by hand (like it is being done today) BUT it also had a simple electronic calculator/counter with each vote button pressed. Totals of every candidate would have been available & printed within five minutes of the closing of poll.<br /><br />The entire effort which included more than 50 meetings at the Presidency alone was scuttled.<br /><br />Had EVMs been there today, my dear beloved Pakistan would have been spared this crisis.”<br /><br />Talk is rife about how automation could have led to a dramatically different result:<br /><br />· Reduced Errors: While hand counting is notoriously vulnerable to human errors, leading to miscalculations and inconsistencies, automation greatly reduces these failure points, ensuring accuracy and transparency.<br /><br />· Faster Results: Tallying millions of votes manually takes days, the perfect breeding ground for anxiety and speculation. Automation expedites the process by an order of magnitude, providing timely results and reducing post-election tension.<br /><br />· Increased Integrity: Public skepticism about manual counting is rampant. A transparent, automated system with proper safeguards could bolster public trust in the electoral process, fostering stability and acceptance of the outcome.<br /><br />· Improved Security: Allegations of vote tampering are less likely with a secure, audited electronic system. Blockchain technology could further enhance security, creating an irrefutable record of votes cast.<br /><br />Pakistan does not need to look far and wide for successful references as its next-door neighbor India has had a largely successful experience with e-voting election automation. Though its electronic voting machines (EVM) are aging, the world’s largest democracy still uses them to mount large-scale elections with a decent level of credibility.<br /><br />Despite their frustration, champions of election modernization need to bring every stakeholder to the discussion table one more time where it should be made clear that a peaceful and orderly transfer of power is imperative if Pakistan’s fledgling democracy is to survive.<br />E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-50809409684949985392024-02-07T12:28:00.000-08:002024-02-07T12:28:29.227-08:00El Salvador's Elections: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X8uR-nfPY0Iu_nI7ho90whFIVd7be9d42kM8AXmuoqHkiPJWzjv-yGYFvdV0d9oxC4AqEsc_7aLnP3inFbzhM-QeXdIGO28ShDVv3dM7Wlroelbq3W4F6FtaP9dSTI9B2X2C-lIblxHs-AC7lfnfPVXHDqpZQYXbjoqqwcC9aT_Q7XcVCjHwEzdnCAQ/s773/el%20salvador_flag_istock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="773" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X8uR-nfPY0Iu_nI7ho90whFIVd7be9d42kM8AXmuoqHkiPJWzjv-yGYFvdV0d9oxC4AqEsc_7aLnP3inFbzhM-QeXdIGO28ShDVv3dM7Wlroelbq3W4F6FtaP9dSTI9B2X2C-lIblxHs-AC7lfnfPVXHDqpZQYXbjoqqwcC9aT_Q7XcVCjHwEzdnCAQ/w400-h234/el%20salvador_flag_istock.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><div><br /> As the dust settles on El Salvador's February 4 elections, the landslide reelection of President Nayib Bukele tells only part of the story. Amid Bukele's dominating 85% electoral sweep, a parallel narrative unfolded—one that could redefine the Salvadoran electoral landscape for generations. These elections didn't just test the popularity of a president; they put El Salvador's ambitious drive to modernize its voting system under the microscope. <br /><br />The implementation of new voting technology in the election brought positive lessons, faced tribulations, and experienced turmoil. This analysis reviews the highs and lows encountered in streamlining the country's electoral process. <br /> <br /><b>The Good: </b><br /><br />One of the most laudable achievements of the 2022 general elections in El Salvador was the significant strides made in enfranchising the Salvadoran diaspora. Approximately 1.6 million Salvadorans, about 25% of all registered voters, reside abroad and were given the unprecedented opportunity to vote in this election. <br /><br />The passage of the Special Law for the Exercise of Suffrage Abroad in 2022 was a major milestone. It mandated both internet-based remote voting and in-person electronic voting systems to assure that Salvadorans living outside the country could cast their ballots freely, equally, transparently, and confidentially. <br /><br />The implementation of these systems appears to have been largely successful, enabling broader participation of expatriate Salvadorans in the democratic process. <br /><br /><b>The Bad: </b><br /><br />Despite these advances, the participation of Salvadorans living abroad was not without its setbacks. In certain instances, polling centers overseas closed prematurely, leaving some voters disenfranchised. According to some official explanations, the provider hired to offer end-to-end services, from online voting to the setting and allocation of vote centers, did not consider the possibility of extending voting hours, a necessity in elections. Those vote centers located in private buildings were not allowed to stay open. <br /><br />While initial reactions from the authorities suggested that additional voting opportunities might be scheduled to rectify this issue, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) ultimately reversed its decision and announced that there would be no extra day of voting. Attorney General Rodolfo Delgado issued a statement, ensuring the public that anyone obstructing the electoral process would be held accountable. <br /><br /><b>The Ugly: </b><br /><br />Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of the election was issues regarding the preliminary results system managed by the TSE itself. On election night, counts from only 31% of polling stations were reported. By Monday morning, figures had only reached 70.25% for the presidential election and a mere 5.06% for legislative positions. The TSE ordered manual vote tallying overnight and later instructed electoral bodies, with urgency, to return original records and election packages. <br /><br />Poll workers' criticisms included reports of vote duplication or even triplication when processed records were entered into the TSE system. These irregularities were particularly noted during legislative vote scrutiny, raising concerns among voters about the integrity of the electoral process. <br /><br />The delay in the announcement of election outcomes led an impatient President Bukele to prematurely announce his victory on social media, an action that breached election protocols. Had his advantage in the vote count been less substantial, it is likely that authorities and the public would have been less inclined to accept his early self-declaration of victory. <br /><br />In conclusion, considering the difficulties encountered, it becomes imperative for the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to carefully engage expert vendors with established expertise in managing preliminary election results. Outsourcing this critical aspect to such entities, which usually invest many more resources in developing election solutions, is a practice that typically yields better outcomes than risking the substantial investment and inherent challenges associated with in-house development of these complex technologies. This strategic approach by the TSE would be pivotal.<br /></div>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-75132372677566274132024-01-24T12:17:00.000-08:002024-02-01T12:22:27.324-08:00Electronic Voting to Bolster World’s Largest Elections<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1532375810709-75b1da00537c?q=80&w=2076&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1532375810709-75b1da00537c?q=80&w=2076&auto=format&fit=crop&ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D" width="400" /></a><br /></div><div><br />As India approaches its next general elections, the world turns its eyes to this monumental democratic process, where it is expected that incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi will vie for an unprecedented third term. This electoral contest is not just a measure of political winds, but also a testament to the technological advancements that have revolutionized voting in the world's largest democracy.<br /><br />When Modi was sworn in as the 14th Prime Minister of India in 2014, the employment of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) had already established itself as the backbone of the Indian electoral framework. Fast forward to the present day, and these devices, developed by the state-owned Electronics Corporation of India and Bharat Electronics, have become emblematic of the country's commitment to election automation.<br /><br />The introduction of EVMs, which occurred between 1998 and 2001, marked a significant departure from the traditional use of paper ballots. The transformation was aimed at addressing and mitigating the prevalent electoral frauds that marred India's electoral integrity, such as booth capturing and ballot stuffing.<br /><br />Studies and observational data over the years have consistently provided evidence that EVMs have successfully curbed fraudulent practices, notably reducing the incidence of false ballots and rejection rates due to unclear marking that were common with paper ballots.<br /><br />EVMs have been instrumental in elevating the inclusivity of the electoral process. Post-poll surveys have shown a notable increase in turnout among vulnerable populations—including women, the elderly, and less-educated voters—pointing towards the empowering nature of the technology.<br /><br />Despite the progress election administration has seen since the introduction of the technology, concerns about the integrity of India’s EVMs have been raised by experts. Madhav Deshpande, a prominent figure in the technology community, points out the vulnerabilities inherent in EVM technology, which, although not connected to the internet and hence not hackable, still leave room for manipulation. These concerns stem from the fact that EVMs are based on older technology that has not kept pace with advancements, leading to gaps that could potentially be exploited.<br /><br />In the upcoming elections, with 900 million voters anticipated to participate, India's electronic voting system will again be at the forefront, consolidating its status as the standard and preferred method for conducting elections in the country. EVMs, with their proven track record, are set to play a pivotal role in what is to be the largest democratic exercise in history.<br /></div>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-62431870822859311242024-01-10T08:47:00.000-08:002024-02-01T08:51:00.369-08:002024: A Record-Setting Year in Democracy and Technology<a href="https://assets.diarioconcepcion.cl/2023/12/istockphoto-1460985803-612x612.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="612" height="408" src="https://assets.diarioconcepcion.cl/2023/12/istockphoto-1460985803-612x612.jpeg" width="612" /></a><br /><br /> In a watershed moment for democracy, the year 2024 is set to witness an unprecedented scale of electoral participation, with at least 64 countries—including all 27 member states of the European Union—poised to conduct national elections.<br /><br />This democratic spectacle is projected to engage approximately 49% of the global population, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the citizenry that will exercise their voting rights.<br /><br />Of particular note, the most populous nations on the planet—India, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, and Mexico—are scheduled to hold pivotal elections that could shape the geopolitical landscape for the foreseeable future.<br /><br />Technology, too, is slated to leave an indelible impact, as close to half of the electorate will utilize electronic voting machines to cast their ballots, signifying a significant inclusion of modern technology in the democratic process.<br /><br />The United States commands the spotlight with its comprehensive suite of elections slated for November 5. The American populace will determine their next president while simultaneously voting for the entirety of the House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. The presidential election is particularly charged with echoes of 2020, as incumbent Democrat Joe Biden is anticipated to once again stand against Republican Donald Trump in what can be seen as a sequential political duel.<br /><br />India, the world’s most populated country, will hold elections for the Lok Sabha, known as the House of the People. With a vast population of 1.44 billion, a substantial portion of which comprises eligible voters, India's the largest democracy in the world. The procedural undertaking of such an event is colossal, necessitating an extensive deployment of electronic voting machines to ensure a smooth and efficient voting process.<br /><br />With the shifting winds of political power, the outcomes of these elections carry profound implications for international relations, especially in regions marred by conflict, such as Gaza and Ukraine.<br /><br />The year 2024 will, therefore, not only be remembered for the historic voter turnout but also for the impact of these elections on the unfolding of global events and the balance of power that influences them.<br />E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-39846411738875899392023-12-21T14:30:00.000-08:002023-12-22T06:13:40.825-08:00Chaos in DR Congo: Tech Glitches, Violence, and Poor Logistics Taint Elections<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5hqv8K1lArsS5mq0Phix-UN3w4Om1ICN-SuCIR6B55SdAe_2iLdQ6GrwHZAAxMvvQAqarpgzhUcbN7z66goKzmzyBJu1jmA4c_CAPBMo-GXX9DJuTJRryPAZ1T_7by-jkW6Ty6cNs1fcFIdsSujIbE-0hcj_ywk0X2YKDCwOiqKnE7lfkBv9OpTuZPY/s1555/congo%202.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1555" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5hqv8K1lArsS5mq0Phix-UN3w4Om1ICN-SuCIR6B55SdAe_2iLdQ6GrwHZAAxMvvQAqarpgzhUcbN7z66goKzmzyBJu1jmA4c_CAPBMo-GXX9DJuTJRryPAZ1T_7by-jkW6Ty6cNs1fcFIdsSujIbE-0hcj_ywk0X2YKDCwOiqKnE7lfkBv9OpTuZPY/w400-h228/congo%202.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="ui-provider ec bje bjf bjg bjh bji bjj bjk bjl bjm bjn bjo bjp bjq bjr bjs bjt bju bjv bjw bjx bjy bjz bka bkb bkc bkd bke bkf bkg bkh bki bkj bkk bkl" dir="ltr">Voters had to wait for hours outside polling centers <br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) pursuit of democratic consolidation faced a significant setback in the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67759985">2023 presidential elections</a>. This high-stakes election, which had the potential to mark the second peaceful civilian-to-civilian transition since the country’s independence in 1960, wound up marred by violence, logistical challenges, and widespread malfunctioning of election technology provided by Miru Systems. <br /><br />Election technology, central to the electoral proceedings, were expected to streamline and secure the vote. However, <a href="https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/12/20/elections-en-rdc-problemes-techniques-violences-et-doutes-sur-lintegrite-du-processus-electoral/">the CENCO-ECC observation mission’s report</a> starkly highlighted that nearly 45.1% of polling stations faced technical issues with these devices. Reports from the media detailed numerous equipment breakdowns and technical glitches that caused substantial delays and voter confusion, directly impacting the credibility and smooth conduct of the polls. <br /><br />With the essential act of voting compromised, election authorities were compelled to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/congo-holds-presidential-vote-after-fraught-campaign-2023-12-20/">extend the electoral process</a> by an additional day, attempting to mitigate the disenfranchisement of voters who faced disruptions. However, this extension was not enough to quell the rising discontent. Five presidential candidates have called into question the integrity of the elections, demanding that the process be nullified and redone. <br /><br />A <a href="https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/news/peace_publications/election_reports/drc-carter-center-interim-report-120523.pdf">pre-election report</a> by the Carter Center, issued weeks prior to the election day, had already flagged serious issues with the registration kits also provided by Miru Systems. Voter cards, necessary for casting ballots, were found to have smudged information due to faulty thermal printers included in the kits, which led to unreadable cards. Inefficient voter identification processes frequently result in protracted queues and can lead to disenfranchisement of voters. <br /><br />Adding to the list of technological calamities, the durability and reliability of voter data on the newly issued ID cards were also in doubt. In some troubling instances, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0wEzHnLGOk">as reported by Africa News</a>, personal information vanished from the voter ID cards, raising concerns over voter disenfranchisement and data security. These cards, which are vital for the identification of eligible voters, were also supplied by Miru Systems. <br /><br />Despite the shortcomings, authorities have been resolute in their plan to announce preliminary results by December 31, with official results expected by January 10 at the latest. The inauguration of the new president is to follow ten days after the official results are made public. <br /></div>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-69110559361790501352023-12-17T19:30:00.000-08:002023-12-18T13:32:15.432-08:00 Iraq's Election Integrity in Question After Widespread Technology Failures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-05ZoicWr6RrLpT-Sd5fmXGkLP5e202kiZmmnfyi_0vzZzbK-XvHQdSGqrPbCX8UDt12ILYjuzCKemmDIs22DzOvj7H4SHq_566m_Aw-eTIJD2oRFB2Aqv4kufAmCkR2GSYid3AJqbRD7L1bbcRDXRsoua60IiGeyrWlaHp8Ev-7pVLDuv6xnmk6rHA/s670/iraq-vote-counting-machine-web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="670" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-05ZoicWr6RrLpT-Sd5fmXGkLP5e202kiZmmnfyi_0vzZzbK-XvHQdSGqrPbCX8UDt12ILYjuzCKemmDIs22DzOvj7H4SHq_566m_Aw-eTIJD2oRFB2Aqv4kufAmCkR2GSYid3AJqbRD7L1bbcRDXRsoua60IiGeyrWlaHp8Ev-7pVLDuv6xnmk6rHA/w459-h230/iraq-vote-counting-machine-web.jpg" width="459" /></a></div><br />Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is struggling to tabulate election results after a major technology failure during the special voting phase of the Provincial Council Elections held on December 16.<p></p><p></p><p>The Alliance of Networks and National Organizations for Monitoring Elections (ANNOME), a local institution overseeing the election reported that <a href="https://en.964media.com/5901/" target="_blank">electronic counting devices failed to transmit results in 70% of voting stations</a>.</p><p></p><p>The issue forced the IHEC to manually count and sort ballots after transferring the ballot boxes to central audit centers in the governorates. Meanwhile, officials are urging the public to maintain peace and patience as they work diligently to sort and confirm the election results.</p><p>Miru Systems, the technology provider headquartered in South Korea, <a href="https://en.964media.com/5924/" target="_blank">admitted to the glitches </a>affecting the election's integrity. In an email communication with Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, the company stated, “Our company would like to show that there was a technical defect in sending a number of special voting stations.”</p><p></p><p>ANNOME also reported that the region of Kurdistan experienced one of the highest malfunction rates where more than 75% of the electronic devices failed. The problem was not isolated there; it also spread to other regions including Wasit, Maysan, Kirkuk, Nineveh, Baghdad, and Sulaymaniyah.</p><p></p><p>Sajjad Salem, a member of the Iraqi Parliament, revealed that warnings about the electronic devices' functionality <a href="https://ultrairaq.ultrasawt.com/%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B7%D9%84-%D8%A3%D8%AC%D9%87%D8%B2%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%AE%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B5-%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%88%D9%83-%D9%88%D9%85%D8%B4%D9%83%D9%84%D8%A9-%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%84/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9" target="_blank">had already surfaced in the months leading up to the election, specifically since the previous September</a>. The election commission dismissed the warnings and assured that those glitches had been resolved.</p><p>Miru Systems faced <a href="https://www.rudaw.net/english/middleeast/iraq/300520181" target="_blank">similar problems</a> in Iraq five years ago when authorities had to annul votes from 1,000 polling stations in 2018.</p><p></p><p>This election chaos highlights an urgent need for stringent oversight and failsafe procedures to safeguard the electoral integrity in Iraq's democratic process. The election is scheduled to resume on Monday, December 18.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-44231175151076482392023-11-30T06:26:00.000-08:002023-11-30T06:26:16.051-08:00Election Modernization in the Philippines at Crossroads<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2lTnok-jUGMy57UJsan2keiWWtfzgvzcDePYG_xcGSvgwTrnYOtAXMecT6suNZC-4AUZMjYUzmg9e-MT5-4_LR74kmq_OxQN_5GuMZUfVZtfcwOt2ek2eJ3T6OokiB1LcG2CGvFkwGTCjhWn4Ag_z149LqhhLFFT_Sys1AxErr4kkI4NGO6YfIJeYzI/s3637/isawred-ycjKJ-JzbAA-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="3637" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2lTnok-jUGMy57UJsan2keiWWtfzgvzcDePYG_xcGSvgwTrnYOtAXMecT6suNZC-4AUZMjYUzmg9e-MT5-4_LR74kmq_OxQN_5GuMZUfVZtfcwOt2ek2eJ3T6OokiB1LcG2CGvFkwGTCjhWn4Ag_z149LqhhLFFT_Sys1AxErr4kkI4NGO6YfIJeYzI/w400-h225/isawred-ycjKJ-JzbAA-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Philippine Commission on Elections (Comelec) made a very risky and surprising move on November 29, when it banned its long-time technology provider Smartmatic from bidding on the 2025 contract for election technology in the Philippines. The move could spell the end to one of the most successful examples of election modernization in the Asia Pacific region.</p>Comelec’s new leadership has chosen to sever ties with Smartmatic, despite the company's longstanding role improving Filipino elections and the integrity of the outcomes, which have held up to every audit and legal challenge. Petitions by political activists calling for Smartmatic's disqualification have been dismissed by Comelec, which has cited a lack of evidence to justify such measures.<br /><br />In the weeks preceding the rulings, Comelec Chairman Garcia firmly stated that the committee would only consider disqualification if substantial evidence was introduced in a legal setting. On September 22, Garcia affirmed, "The presumption of innocence prevails. We will meticulously observe the progression of this matter, particularly the nature and substance of the evidence presented in court.” Additionally, in a PhilStar interview, the Chairman underscored, "The Comelec cannot disqualify on the basis of speculation, rumors, or mere allegations." Despite the absence of such evidence and the lack of a judicial proceeding, Comelec nevertheless moved forward with the disqualification of Smartmatic.<br /><br />Responding to the disqualification, Smartmatic pointed out that Comelec failed to follow the standard legal process for disqualification and never gave the company a chance to prove its innocence. “This ruling is made without any legal basis and appears to be an excuse for what was clearly a pre-determined decision to exclude Smartmatic from the bid, irrespective of merit. Our reputation and goodwill have been unjustly besmirched and the right to join the bidding withheld unjustly,” reads the company’s statement.<br /><br />Since its first participation in Philippine elections in the Mindanao province in 2008, Smartmatic has continuously supplied election technology and services to Comelec. The company won open bids for subsequent national and local elections from 2010 through the most recent elections in 2022. During this period, the country saw marked improvements in both efficiency and accuracy, as well as citizen safety from post-election violence.<br /><br />Barring further explanation from Comelec, the committee’s decision is curious and may, indeed, backfire on it. Comelec’s choice was, supposedly, driven by its desire to maintain the integrity of its processes and elections. Yet by sidestepping its own rules and due legal process, Comelec is opening itself to those who would question its integrity and thus, the integrity of the elections in its charge. At a time when the committee is being heavily scrutinized for yielding to political and economic pressures, choosing to circumvent due process seems to be an odd choice that may irreparably harm the cause of election integrity Comelec works so hard to protect.E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-50090304249612678042023-11-20T06:48:00.000-08:002023-11-20T06:48:22.712-08:00Insider's Insight: Kenya's Journey to Modernized Elections<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYues7fkVocpz7LbkoT9jNfFMdyx9uzNSo1Z_B1AlIY2dEyOiyyLAVthxHB5VEyet4taqeBAtFvCGKo1Uo05FYhM74uaqOwSl6-Kl5D0T7aBL-NRQ-z02DdRz0nYNdxutUakpZOSJz6wXxMByOHxQPiMgzyX1oMI83fGmdB7_KOzTMH08kay9IwSBUW4/s1280/international-2693237_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYues7fkVocpz7LbkoT9jNfFMdyx9uzNSo1Z_B1AlIY2dEyOiyyLAVthxHB5VEyet4taqeBAtFvCGKo1Uo05FYhM74uaqOwSl6-Kl5D0T7aBL-NRQ-z02DdRz0nYNdxutUakpZOSJz6wXxMByOHxQPiMgzyX1oMI83fGmdB7_KOzTMH08kay9IwSBUW4/w400-h300/international-2693237_1280.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Wafula Chebukati, the former Chairman of Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), recently gave an insightful speech at the 19th International Electoral Affairs Symposium and Awards in Lisbon, Portugal. In his address, he emphasized the transformative impact technology had in preserving the integrity of the historic 2022 Kenyan elections.<br /><br />As explained by Chebukati, the elections were significant, not only in Kenya's history but also in demonstrating the potency of technology in supporting credible democratic processes. Amid immense challenges long associated with Kenya's electoral landscape, and with the specter of the annulled 2017 elections still looming, the country achieved a milestone: highly credible elections that were recognized both nationally and internationally.<br /><br />The successful integration of technology played a critical role in this achievement. The IEBC harnessed biometric technology to enable poll workers to validate voter identities and to digitally capture tally reports. Digital copies of tally reports were automatically published online in real time. The prompt publication of tally reports on the night of the election boosted transparency.<br /><br />Despite the ensuing defamation campaign post-results announcement, where certain factions attempted to discredit Chebukati, the IEBC, and the technology, the legitimacy of the results was upheld by the Supreme Court. Broadcast online, these hearings made it evident that the deployment of technology materially contributed to transparency and integrity in the 2022 Kenyan elections. "The transparency with which Form 34As were transmitted and the bullet-proof technology systems utilized resulted in no single point of failure," stated Chebukati.<br /><br />This landmark voting event coordinated over 460,000 poll workers across 22,229 polling stations, serving 22 million citizens. The technological advancements adopted not only ensured a smoother voting process but also offered a robust defense against claims of irregularities.<br /><br />Chebukati's address at the Lisbon Symposium serves as a beacon of promise for other countries grappling with similar challenges in their electoral systems.<br /><br />The International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) is an organization dedicated to enhancing policymaking and governance by facilitating interaction between parliaments, governments, and societal stakeholders. The Symposium and Awards ceremony was held on November 13 – 16 and election specialists from the world over.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-70784929442372125222023-09-07T07:04:00.006-07:002023-09-07T07:04:41.544-07:00Voters with vision disabilities push for e-Voting right away<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTVXSpmxZyfTCdKnkDFO8VixoBluzBDgig7rTRx0HoCBOmFflfmSc_4GbsJJv7l0k5ZbgcrCdUZhp8yrVE-5TtFI3wjyz-RdGENIzgCW2Ri0loJuGznJR0L72qoUpoCEpxBfnlrjWdXJFtIFM1q_ECq_i4LYGF01o-fzedVOP_MK6TNJOgSFrtb_ODX8/s724/vision%20disability_braille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTVXSpmxZyfTCdKnkDFO8VixoBluzBDgig7rTRx0HoCBOmFflfmSc_4GbsJJv7l0k5ZbgcrCdUZhp8yrVE-5TtFI3wjyz-RdGENIzgCW2Ri0loJuGznJR0L72qoUpoCEpxBfnlrjWdXJFtIFM1q_ECq_i4LYGF01o-fzedVOP_MK6TNJOgSFrtb_ODX8/w400-h266/vision%20disability_braille.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p>A group of voters with visually disabilities in Switzerland have been pressing the government to <a href="https://disabilityinsider.com/2023/09/06/accessibility/people-with-vision-disabilities-demand-e-voting-in-switzerland/">act swiftly in making e-voting available to them</a>. Lamenting how the lack of digital accessibility excludes hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBV) said that the immediate implementation of e-voting is just the solution to make voting accessible for voters with sight challenges. <br /><br />“One of the most objectionable deficits is the lack of accessibility for blind people and people with visual impairments in terms of exercising their right to vote and to be elected, as well as the protection of their voting secrecy,” said Roland Studer, SBV president. <br /><br />He urged politicians and elections authorities to seize the opportunity to remedy these issues before the 2023 parliamentary elections. “The 2023 parliamentary elections must be the last elections that are not barrier-free,” he declared. <br /><br />To backstop the group’s demands, Studer cited the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by Switzerland in 2014, and the 2004 Disability Equality Act, which both underscore government’s duty to provide accessibility to handicapped people. Studer also emphasized the importance of extending accessibility to signature collections, advocating for electronic options. </p><p>Voters with visual disabilities outside Switzerland face similar challenges. In the US, studies have shown that <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/09/22/a-political-profile-of-disabled-americans/">people with disabilities are less likely to vote</a> than people without disabilities. This is likely due to several factors, including accessibility challenges, lack of transportation, and lack of information about the voting process. <br /><br />Traditional voting modalities such as in-person voting and mail-in voting, can pose difficulties for people with certain disabilities. Sight-challenged voters may have difficulty reading the ballots or marking their choices while people with mobility and motor disabilities may find getting to precincts and physically filling out ballots nearly impossible tasks. <br /><br />E-voting is well-poised to address these accessibility challenges. Electronic ballots can offer large print, high-contrast text, and audio output to get around sight impairment. Internet voting allows people with mobility disabilities to cast their ballots from anywhere.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-6902935337373703382023-08-18T12:00:00.003-07:002023-08-18T12:00:51.351-07:00Experts warn of dire consequences if election management boards not funded enough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljJSpOZ3uyH9h-K5DE5xolpoHd-5JBUhntuFuyy96fu0oWkvzq1HNz6W1_bclpUheWg0t6lWe7cU7s9iWxk8zLAA9il2O8oWh5C9cnv1N1irHNgDYoLaPyrZD3GXBJO_NKtsVgMGc_nwqa7ozlqpssAGdcgxyPnlGTKQ5G3aZVaJZgddWHy1CM47gDnc/s724/iStock-1500680753.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljJSpOZ3uyH9h-K5DE5xolpoHd-5JBUhntuFuyy96fu0oWkvzq1HNz6W1_bclpUheWg0t6lWe7cU7s9iWxk8zLAA9il2O8oWh5C9cnv1N1irHNgDYoLaPyrZD3GXBJO_NKtsVgMGc_nwqa7ozlqpssAGdcgxyPnlGTKQ5G3aZVaJZgddWHy1CM47gDnc/s320/iStock-1500680753.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> During the recent US National Conference of State Legislatures, the director of the MIT Election Data and Science Lab dropped a bombshell about the United States’ 10,000 local electoral management boards (EMBs), majority of which he said are being <a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/15/2024-election-security-underfunded-mit">“woefully underfunded,”</a> leaving them ill-equipped to address a raft of problems that has vexed US elections in recent years. <br /><br />Election expert Charles Stewart III, who heads MIT initiatives to conduct scientific analysis on election technology, election administration, and election reform, placed the cost of nationally administering a presidential election somewhere between $2 billion-$5 billion. <br /><br />Stewart III stressed the imperative for state and local governments to pony up the funding for EMBs, which are grappling with a host of concerns such as a high turnover rate among poll workers, harassment of poll workers by radical groups, and intensified cybersecurity threats. <br /><br /><b>The Cost of Conducting Elections </b><br /><br />In his 2022 paper <a href="https://electionlab.mit.edu/sites/default/files/2022-05/TheCostofConductingElections-2022.pdf">“The Cost of Conducting Elections,”</a> Stewart suggested how election officials themselves could be abetting the problem by “making do” with what they have. <br /><br />“They often express pride in pulling off the complicated logistical maneuvers necessary to conduct elections on a shoestring budget. One consequence of the frugality imposed on election administration is that services provided to voters vary considerably across the nation,” Stewart said. <br /><br />“Some states and localities flood mailboxes with voter guides, use the most up- to-date equipment, and deliver information and services on sophisticated websites. Others provide only minimal services to voters, rely on voters to figure out the details of voting on their own, and use equipment that is no longer manufactured or is incapable of being updated with the latest security patches,” he added. <br /><br /><b>Underfunding also a global concern </b><br /><br /> A <a href="https://aceproject.org/ace-en/topics/em/emg/default/mobile_browsing/onePag">paper by ACE Project</a> suggests that EMB underfunding not an exclusively US phenomenon but is also a growing concern worldwide. The paper posits that EMBs from Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, and Liberia, among others, are not getting the needed funding from their governments and are merely relying on international donors for substantial amounts of budgetary support, as well as technical assistance. <br /><br />The report is critical of this dependence on external help. Apart from sustainability issues, the report cites how reliance on external funding could be problematic as conditions that donor agencies impose on EMBs could hamstring their work. Moreover, requirements from their own governments may make it difficult for EMBs to do a proper accounting of the donated funds. <br /><br /> The report goes on to state that, while inadequate funding may not necessarily trigger violence directly, inadequate resources may force EMBs to make concessions that can compromise the integrity and security of elections, leaving them vulnerable to disputes that can in turn feed violent conflicts. <br /><br />“For example, core cost deficiencies may affect an electoral process’s technical integrity; lack of diffuse funds will limit the engagement of supporting agencies, especially those with the task of providing security; and a lack of integrity funds at the disposal of an EMB may harm the legitimacy of the process,” the paper said. <br /><br /><b>What can be done? </b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAtONOqSYWc_YjyPSjs4G43wr4iRfEV2sphmIQ41_GjADWvXnSy0L3evXoafwrMOjghkl44HBtoVW2UICRB9l8PuebhJZwQwlHYNa_bT-APihfx6acAELyqVvq1JEs0ayN5_eJAnuvL8KO4ymeyklNIB6mjZglCltn5QQ9LC66gfVgonlB66OJYHApFA/s225/international%20idea%20elections.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAtONOqSYWc_YjyPSjs4G43wr4iRfEV2sphmIQ41_GjADWvXnSy0L3evXoafwrMOjghkl44HBtoVW2UICRB9l8PuebhJZwQwlHYNa_bT-APihfx6acAELyqVvq1JEs0ayN5_eJAnuvL8KO4ymeyklNIB6mjZglCltn5QQ9LC66gfVgonlB66OJYHApFA/s1600/international%20idea%20elections.png" width="225" /></a></b></div>The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) perhaps summed it up best when it made this reminder: “Elections are an investment, not an expense.” <br /><br />In an <a href="https://www.idea.int/news-media/news/election-costs-informing-narrative">article on its website</a>, the intergovernmental organization said that for all citizens of the free world, election costs should be thought of as the public investment that sustains democracy. <br /><br />“The ‘return on investment’ that is associated with democratic and inclusive elections, supported by other key components of a democracy, can be measured in terms of social stability within a nation,” it said. <br /><br />“By contrast, countries that underfund investments in their democracy tend to be associated with ineffective public administration (including election administration); low levels of voter turnout; high levels of election fraud, manipulation and voting irregularities; limited freedom for news media to scrutinize the exercise of power; inconsistent access to justice, civil liberties, social rights and equality; corruption and unequal enforcement of laws; and public dissatisfaction with political parties, legislatures and governments,” it added. <br /><br />For International IDEA, the funding of national electoral processes is the sole province of the national government, and that donations, either from donor countries or the international community, should be shunned. <br /><br />“Election financial assistance by donors should always be considered temporary, even though it may be necessary during post-conflict or transitional periods,” it said. <br /><br />The article exhorted those who support and wish to safeguard democracy to ensure that discourse around election costs is publicly debated and “placed in a context based on facts, law and agreed societal values.”<span lang="EN-PH"></span>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
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</td></tr></tbody></table> <p></p>Since 2010, the Commission of Elections (Comelec) has successfully used electronic counting for national and local elections in the Philippines. This time, the poll body has set its sights on bringing the benefits of automation down to elections at the grassroots. <br /><br />The hyperlocal polls, which go by the official name of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), is set for October 30 of this year. Under the law, the BSKE is to be held every three years to choose grassroots leaders in 42,027 villages (barangays) across the country. Currently, the BSKE is still conducted manually and is plagued by problems of slow count, human error, and fraud. <br /><br />The BSKE modernization initiative kicked off recently with <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/08/23/mock-polls-for-oct-30-bske-a-success-comelec">mock elections</a> in three pilot areas in and around the capital city of Manila. The successful exercise saw the return to active service of the familiar vote counting machines (VCMs), following a massive nationwide deployment in the 2022 general elections. <br /><br />During the mock elections, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia noted how automating the BSKE would speed up the process and make results available an hour after the polls close. Manual count is known to take days or even weeks to finish. <br /><br />E-voting is also expected to reduce the risk of fraud and errors hounding BSKE. While manual elections are vulnerable to vote padding miscounting of votes and other anomalies, automated elections are more secure and reliable, as the votes are cast and counted electronically. <br /><br />In addition, automated elections prove to be cost-effective in the long run, as they require fewer personnel and resources. The savings brought on by automation should be a welcome development for the national government. <br /><br />Moreover, the automation of the grassroots polls is seen to immensely benefit electoral board members. While manual elections can be a long and tiring process for poll workers, who often must work for up to 24 hours straight, automated elections are much less demanding on election workers, as they only must operate the voting machines and do not have to manually count the votes. <br /><br />The citizen watchdog Namfrel (National Movement for Free Elections), which was present as an observer in the mock elections gave its imprimatur on the initiative saying that automating the BSKE is “doable.” <br /><br />The Comelec’s initiative to automate the BSKE represents a major step forward in upgrading the transparency and efficiency of the grassroots polls in the Philippines. With the benefits of automation trickling down to the most basic unit of government, the Philippines bolsters its standing as a primary reference for election modernization. <p></p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-91484683937387979512023-06-22T06:50:00.004-07:002023-07-26T06:53:18.968-07:00How Income Affects Voter Turnout in the US<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vNNL0CSOwpTVInUurLkaanRQmkPaOQ9V9zM3THU7KCjCjM6F0roLalHd7hHYgHCXxV2SlwmxlhRHOekeBc7RvnpqX7bBX0YSBrALjWUUZ5toGjGPbPKGm6AtITdCRWhGJaDoq1zEeWt6-IwKVkGbxYGNiJ0GiKUedcEP5iWWcpcOAMbUgMG3P_C6ehc/s724/US%20elections_blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vNNL0CSOwpTVInUurLkaanRQmkPaOQ9V9zM3THU7KCjCjM6F0roLalHd7hHYgHCXxV2SlwmxlhRHOekeBc7RvnpqX7bBX0YSBrALjWUUZ5toGjGPbPKGm6AtITdCRWhGJaDoq1zEeWt6-IwKVkGbxYGNiJ0GiKUedcEP5iWWcpcOAMbUgMG3P_C6ehc/s320/US%20elections_blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>A report by a non-profit group Washington Center for Equitable Growth has suggested a causal link between income and voter turnout in the United States, shedding light on how the longstanding income divide in the country could be derailing initiatives to ensure that all voices are heard in the political process. <br /><br />The 2021 report titled <a href="https://equitablegrowth.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/010320-voter-suppression-report.pdf">“The consequences of political inequality and voter suppression for U.S. economic inequality and growth</a>, ” which also discussed race-based voting gaps, revealed how higher-income citizens of the United States are more likely to vote than their lower-income counterparts. <br /><br />“Between 1978 and 2008, wealthier Americans were 65 percent more likely to vote than those with low incomes. In 2016, a presidential election year, eligible voters with annual incomes of less than $50,000 voted at a rate of 55 percent, while 80 percent of those with incomes of more than $150,000 voted that year. Households earning less than $15,000 made up 13 percent of all households in 2009 but comprised just 6 percent of the electorate in the 2008 election,” the report said. <br /><br />The authors cite how lower-income Americans might be less inclined to practice civic engagement due to the following reasons -- they are less likely get paid time off from work, are more likely to regularly move their places of residence, are incarcerated at higher rates, and are more likely to face unstable transportation and child care arrangements. <br /><br />The report likewise discusses how voting behavior can actually influence the outcome of economic policy. Studies have shown, for example, that states with higher levels of income based voting divides are less likely to enact policies that benefit low- and middle-income Americans. <br /><br />The existence of a feedback loop between economic inequality and voting inequality was also described by the report, detailing how economic inequality can lead to lower turnout among low and middle-income Americans, which in turn can birth policies that benefit the wealthy at the expense of the poor. This can further exacerbate economic inequality, creating a vicious cycle. <br /><br />“Those who enjoy market power are, not co-incidentally, often the same citizens who enjoy outsized political influence, creating a feedback loop that perpetuates economic inequality, instability, and slow growth. Stated simply, a healthy economy requires a healthy democracy,” the report said. <br /><br />The authors of the report argue that reducing electoral inequality is essential to reducing economic inequality. To short circuit the deadly feedback loop, the study urges policymakers to consider reforms to the country’s voting system to equalize access to the polls and ensure the electorate is truly representative of the country’s economic and racial diversity. <br /><br />Specifically, the authors propose to: <br /><br />· Ease voter registration requirements, potentially even making them automatic <br /><br />· Enact same-day voter registration in all states consistent with those states that lead the nation in voter participation, where average turnout was more than 10 percentage points higher than in other states in 2012 <br /><br />· Restore voting rights to those with felony convictions, reduce wait times, guarantee paid time off for voting, and reestablish federal oversight through a restored Voting Rights Act. <br /><br />The report urges policymakers to study how the measures taken by some jurisdictions including the expanded use of vote by mail and ballot drop boxes, could work to reduce income biases in election participation. <br /><br />Washington Center for Equitable Growth is non-profit research and grantmaking organization advocating evidence-backed ideas and policies to promote strong, stable, and broad-based economic growth.<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>
</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-8538109936570527522023-05-13T13:21:00.023-07:002023-05-23T13:32:36.886-07:00Georgia modernizes polls, inches closer to EU membership <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1626669762710-40c66dfb2e8e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=870&q=80" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1626669762710-40c66dfb2e8e?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=M3wxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8fA%3D%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=870&q=80" width="320" /></a></div><p>Georgia’s recent efforts to modernize its elections have the effect of nudging it closer to its goal of becoming a member of the European Union. <br /><br />The EU has laid down <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_3800">12 conditions that Georgia must meet</a> before it can join the union, including the establishment of an independent judiciary, protection of human rights, and an intensified fight against corruption. In complying with such, Georgia must first ensure the proper functioning of democratic institutions, including free and fair elections. <br /><br />In the last few years, the country has implemented several measures to boost the transparency and fairness of its electoral process, including the use of vote counting machines and voter authentication systems. <br /><br />Irakli Kobakhidze, who heads the ruling Georgian Dream party, had announced a <a href="https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/3486">widespread use</a> of electronic voter registration and voting system starting with the 2024 Parliamentary elections. <br /><br />“The successful experience of voter registration and voting with modern technologies allows us to implement this initiative on a large scale from 2024”, Kobakhidze said, adding that “electronic voting will ultimately strengthen public confidence in the vote-counting process, ensure that more than 70 percent of votes are counted and results published within minutes after the closing of the voting process, and eliminate problems related to rigging exit polls and parallel vote tabulation.” <br /><br />Over the past two years, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia has successfully used electronic vote counting technology and identity solutions in three different pilots in the cities of Batumi, Adjara, and Senaki. <br /><br />Politicians have crossed party lines on the matter, with Aleksandre Rakviashvili, an MP from the Girchi opposition party calling the move a <a href="https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/4730">“step forward”</a> for ensuring a fairer electoral environment. This is reflective of the overwhelming support for the movement – as much as <a href="https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/1398">83% of Georgians want to be in the EU</a>. <br /><br />The use of vote counting machines has dramatically significantly reduced human error and manipulation in the vote counting process. With the machines being designed to count votes quickly and accurately, the need for manual vote counting, which can be prone to errors and disputes, is eliminated. <br /><br />In addition to the use of technology, Georgia has also made significant efforts to increase the participation of women and other underrepresented groups in the electoral process. In 2020, the CEC <a href="https://www.undp.org/georgia/press-releases/electoral-gender-quotas">established quotas for female candidates</a> in local elections and introduced a range of measures to encourage women to stand for office. <br /> <br />As a result, the number of Georgian women in parliament jumped from 14 to almost 20 percent. In 2021, women representatives in local councils increased from 13.8 to 24 percent. Likewise, women received 31.4 percent of mandates in proportional lists (441 mandates in total) compared to 19.8 percent of mandates received in 2017. <br /><br />Georgians still need to buckle down to work – there is still much to be done in ensuring the transparency and fairness of Georgia's electoral process. The CEC needs to act on reports of irregularities and voter intimidation during recent elections, and the developing democracy needs to adopt a whole-of-nation approach to fortify its institutions and legal framework if it is to attain its European aspirations.</p><br />E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-88163494356265668302023-04-20T13:26:00.010-07:002023-05-23T13:29:47.272-07:00Only two e-voting companies pass Upguard cybersecurity test <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ4lQuwkRFLX5VWZAd6uyluSHMDX1gIddS43oPeYp-5fmjEeCjGn6qJ0JrQccd__pExSrvUDesaTjjy7xxCjklsZqg1BbDJSf8C79_01xyu-MgH6CzfBUeg7MFz6_H21JSWLwtqp3heyk8PwluAZ4GiolbxAoXAM7JTu6fZz3WTDUbVsNH_ss4-1k/s1254/cybersecurity_vpn_system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1254" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJ4lQuwkRFLX5VWZAd6uyluSHMDX1gIddS43oPeYp-5fmjEeCjGn6qJ0JrQccd__pExSrvUDesaTjjy7xxCjklsZqg1BbDJSf8C79_01xyu-MgH6CzfBUeg7MFz6_H21JSWLwtqp3heyk8PwluAZ4GiolbxAoXAM7JTu6fZz3WTDUbVsNH_ss4-1k/w400-h266/cybersecurity_vpn_system.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>A recent study by cybersecurity consulting firm Upguard has revealed that only two e-voting technology companies have cleared its security test. <a href="https://www.upguard.com/blog/how-secure-is-electronic-voting-in-todays-digital-landscapes">In an article posted on its website</a>, the global company details how it selected 6 of the biggest names in e-voting and <a href="https://www.upguard.com/blog/how-secure-is-electronic-voting-in-todays-digital-landscapes">ranked them according to their CSR</a> (cybersecurity rating). <br /><br />This Upguard study is important in shedding light into the state of cybersecurity in the e-voting industry. It should raise red flags, and spur election authorities into paying more serious attention to the cybersecurity posture of their vendors. <br /><br />The study gave London-based Smartmatic the highest score with an 808 CSR out of a possible 950, making it the only one in the sample to earn the rating of Good. The rest either received a rating of Warning or Average. <br /><br />“Relatively speaking, Smartmatic’s security posture is decent,” the article said. The article cites some issues with Smartmatic’s website that the company needs to remedy. Namely: disabled HTTP Strict Transport Security, lack of secure cookies, and disabled DMARC. <br /><br />Coming in second with 561 CRS is ClearBallot which was rated Average. It was cited for its “semi-bolstered website perimeter security posture” but was cautioned about common flaws such as lack of SSL, HTTP Strict Transport Security, DMARC and DNSSEC that “plague its web presence.” <br /><br />The rest of the companies received a rating of Warning, with OSET Foundation scoring 390, Dominion Voting 342, Unisys Voting Solutions 219. Bringing up the rear was ES&S with a dismal 143 CSR, which the study attributed to “a myriad of perimeter security flaws, saying “For example, lack of sitewide <a href="https://www.upguard.com/blog/ssl-certificate">SSL</a> render its website vulnerable to <a href="https://www.upguard.com/blog/man-in-the-middle-attack">man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks</a>, while the exposure of ports typically assigned to file sharing services and database communications give attackers additional potential attack vectors. A lack of <a href="https://www.upguard.com/blog/dmarc">DMARC</a> and <a href="https://www.upguard.com/blog/dnssec">DNSSEC</a> also contribute to ES&S' low score.” <br /> <br />While public is not normally interested in cybersecurity as it relates to e-voting, this discovery should change that, and should prompt heightened vigilance in ensuring that all e-voting systems are designed with security in mind. <br /><br />Strong authentication and authorization mechanisms; use of encryption to protect data in transit and at rest; incorporation of regular security audits and testing to identify and address vulnerabilities; and rigorous independent testing and certification to ensure their security and reliability. All these practices should be baked into every e-voting system.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-30020417583984510202023-03-13T06:39:00.003-07:002023-03-13T06:39:38.042-07:00Philippines holds big election powwow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIPq5ngHPuHlCtFCwSmRRAaJWN70bTvWqoDwK2f6zoWGkPI7E_Z5zRCVlg80LpvLRa65whGqCgQuZyXYbeTFnVRN_g5rDd0E5ZwItKrNmGoDe4Eq7ndBYSn9I7Urck30_Bw5MeHYVym94BhVClelTOa9D0lFWaU53D7-DJhJM-oi-RQ_lExB-hAX5/s2048/315485733_114140034840174_451401211046857057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBIPq5ngHPuHlCtFCwSmRRAaJWN70bTvWqoDwK2f6zoWGkPI7E_Z5zRCVlg80LpvLRa65whGqCgQuZyXYbeTFnVRN_g5rDd0E5ZwItKrNmGoDe4Eq7ndBYSn9I7Urck30_Bw5MeHYVym94BhVClelTOa9D0lFWaU53D7-DJhJM-oi-RQ_lExB-hAX5/s320/315485733_114140034840174_451401211046857057_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A major election conference in the Philippines aimed at improving the electoral process through technology was recently hosted by the country’s Commission on Elections (Comelec). <br /><br />The three-day <a href="https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2023/03/08/2250124/comelec-holds-election-summit">2023 National Election Summit</a> was attended by a broad spectrum of stakeholders from government, civil society, the academe, and the private sector. It served as platform for consultations and discussions in pursuit of continuing improvement of the country’s elections, which received a major boost when the Automated Election Systems (AES) was first used in 2010. <br /><br />The convention featured breakout sessions that took a deep dive into blockchain, cybersecurity, digitalization, campaign contributions, inclusivity, and other hot issues surrounding elections. <br /><br />Discussions on how the automated count has revolutionized elections in the country was the overwhelming tenor of the event, with numerous experts detailing how the AES has led to the declining numbers of electoral protests, a dramatic drop in incidents of electoral violence, and an <a href="https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/06/29/news/tesda-afp-comelec-receive-highest-approval-trust-ratings-survey/1849112">unprecedented high approval rating for the Comelec</a>. <br /><br />On the same vein, a prevailing sentiment in the summit was a need for a continuing improvement in transparency, audibility, and security. <br /><br />The event featured an exhibit where election companies showcased their high-tech elections systems including optical mark readers (OMR), ballot marking devices (BMD), direct recording electronic (DRE) machines, and internet voting solutions. <br /><br />George Garcia, the Comelec’s chairman, underscored the importance of the summit in building consensus saying that “it’s not everyday stakeholders – whether they attack the Comelec or defend the Comelec – come together.” <br /><br />“There are many ideas on how to prevent vote-buying, how to improve overseas voting, how to ensure high voter turnout, and what type of election system we should use,” he added. “In a democracy, we listen and we will act accordingly,” he added. <br /><br />The Election Summit is being viewed by election observers as a strong confirmation that automation had largely benefited Philippine elections and is likely to be continued with some tweaks. A survey conducted shortly after the 2022 general elections revealed that <a href="https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/7/18/Pulse-Asia-May-2022-elections-credible-survey.html">9 out of 10 Filipino voters want all future elections to be automated.</a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span>
</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-44208045430942669442023-03-07T05:01:00.004-08:002023-03-15T06:16:52.402-07:00Historic: Estonian online voting system breaches 50% mark in recent Estonia polls<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmz10yYWK5gK0fXWO9d1WiZkEWVWgtGxBih_Bgw_pFcWtc17f2dzosktDI8WCeYsA35i3gCg15C3DBnZkbjcgYoScQPlZJD_DE9idI9z9lH36SCmwUJT7hQAAW2lb_1VLbsXxsGItAwH4oJplDaiyLlp5LV2GDi2fe8ZQOW6l-snT6yaiYxuCSPOx/s1253/estonia_flag_2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1253" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmz10yYWK5gK0fXWO9d1WiZkEWVWgtGxBih_Bgw_pFcWtc17f2dzosktDI8WCeYsA35i3gCg15C3DBnZkbjcgYoScQPlZJD_DE9idI9z9lH36SCmwUJT7hQAAW2lb_1VLbsXxsGItAwH4oJplDaiyLlp5LV2GDi2fe8ZQOW6l-snT6yaiYxuCSPOx/w400-h268/estonia_flag_2023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Estonia achieved a new world record last week when <a href="https://e-estonia.com/how-did-estonia-carry-out-the-worlds-first-mostly-online-national-elections/">51% of voters</a> chose to participate in the 2023 parliamentary elections via the Internet. Since its <a href="https://e-estonia.com/how-did-estonia-carry-out-the-worlds-first-mostly-online-national-elections/">introduction in 2005</a> in the Baltic nation, online voting has been enjoying a <a href="https://www.valimised.ee/en/archive/statistics-about-internet-voting-estonia">steady growth</a>. <br /><br />This success of internet voting is particularly impressive in light of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_cyberattacks_on_Estonia">major cyber-attack in 2007</a> that disrupted Estonia’s government services and raised concerns about the security of its digital infrastructure. Despite the harrowing episode, Estonians have taken to the idea of digital democracy, a testament to how thoroughly the Estonian government had implemented its recovery measures, including its <a href="https://www.hybridcoe.fi/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/20211012_Hybrid_CoE_Paper_8_Cyber_deterrence_WEB.pdf">cyber deterrence</a> strategies. <br /><br />The increasing sophistication of the technology itself is also driving adoption. Online voting systems are now even more secure, transparent, and inclusive than ever before. They use advanced encryption and other security measures to make the system more impregnable against hacking and other cyber-attacks. The technology is designed to ensure voter anonymity and to be tamper-proof. <br /><br />As the technology matures, more people are realizing the immense benefits of the internet as voting modality -- flexible, accessible, inclusive, user-friendly. Anywhere there is an internet connection, citizens can vote using a device of their choice. While online voting used to only appeal to tech-savvy young people, it now is increasingly within the reach of voters of all ages and backgrounds. <br /><br />The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be another accelerant to i-Voting adoption. Online voting offers a safe and convenient alternative to in-person voting, a fact that has made it more attractive to citizens who may be hesitant to participate in traditional voting systems during a widespread health crisis. <br /><br />The 2023 Estonia experience is a strong tell for the readiness of voters to embrace even more modern voting modalities such as the internet. Despite important questions around security and accessibility that need to be addressed, election commissions around the world would do well to take a page from the success of Estonia and start exploring how online voting technology could help them conduct better elections.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-9855661679518340682022-12-14T13:53:00.004-08:002022-12-14T13:54:29.342-08:00Calming effects of credible polls noted in Philippines; losing bet finds no cheating <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/13thFool/status/1600982978859257857" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="870" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVsMztCJhk5IQf1MAqUxFKT5rzqoGlF2gi4rr9TTOJt6t8UzoFOUlr4iuRL4zjbeRuiQJBS55rTo3ZAFcyAh8uqmPyx7qSNcg_io7LgX3UAhEPjePoeawebE90bt0J84c16wUhKXWdOJSXcgHjpuooiiY2wYc6vzTlX4OKQcD7Sud5G-NYZzIOFf5/w339-h303/Tweet_Philippines_1.PNG" width="339" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/13thFool/status/1600982978859257857" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://twitter.com/13thFool/status/1600982978859257857" target="_blank">Source: Emilio @13thfool</a></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />The run-up to the 2022 Philippine elections went down as one of the most acrimonious and polarizing few months in the Southeast Asian country’s history. Emotions ran high as partisans for frontrunners Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and former Vice President Leni Robredo went at each other tooth and nail throughout the campaign. <br /><br />Marcos eventually won by a landslide, sewing up 31 million votes to Robredo’s 15 million. The generally regarded smooth conduct of the elections also worked to quell the noise and defuse tensions, paving the way for an uneventful transition of power. <br /><br />Despite calls for her to contest the results, Robredo chose to quietly accept them, an act which many observers believe was crucial in de-escalating tensions and calming the country. <br /><br />Recently, Robredo went on record with author and journalist Ninotchka Rosca in New York City, to <a href="https://www.rappler.com/nation/robredo-says-did-not-see-evidence-2022-elections/">state more explicitly</a> that her team found no evidence of cheating, giving observers hope that her statement would finally quash the lowkey-but-persistent calls to challenge the election results. <br /><br />“Right after the elections, we formed a team of lawyers and we formed a team of computer experts to look into allegations of cheating,” Robredo said in an interview. <br /> <br />“We participated in all the third-party audits that were conducted, and our lawyers and our computer experts did not see anything. We don’t want to file a case only to keep your hopes up,” she added. <br /><br />She also referenced the elections in 2016, where she narrowly defeated Marcos in the vice-presidential race, which the latter contested via an electoral protest. The case dragged on for years and provided fodder for a disinformation campaign that observers say hurt Robredo’s image. The case was terminated in 2020 when the Supreme Court upheld Robredo’s win. <br /><br />“We did not want to do what was done to me in 2016,” she added. <br /><br />Robredo’s lawyer, Emil Marañon, admitted that their camp actively looked for evidence of fraud but found none. <br /><br />“Trust me, we started with disbelief [about the results] and we are dying to find something to answer the call of the supporters [to protest], but there was none. The numbers checked,” Marañon said. <br /><br />Robredo’s statements are the latest testimony to the credibility of the 2022 vote. The election watchdogs Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) had said within days of the elections that <a href="https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1596511/ppcrv-finds-no-anomalies-in-presidential-race-count/amp">it could not find any irregularities</a> surrounding the conduct of the polls. <br /><br />Election credibility in the Philippines has been on the rise since the country adopted an automated election system. A post-election survey by Pulse Asia revealed that <a href="https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/7/18/Pulse-Asia-May-2022-elections-credible-survey.html">90% of Filipino voters believe the elections to be credible and want all future elections to be automated. </a> <br /><br />According to Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes, Filipinos generally feel that cheating was less pervasive in the 2022 elections and that “the vote count was faster and the results remain credible.” <br /><br />"The level of trust is still significant. [The] majority trust the results of the elections that they are accurate and thereby credible," he added.</p><br />E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-56874065541020942482022-11-16T05:52:00.003-08:002022-11-16T05:52:47.801-08:00Election integrity and speed election results publication<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oqHkSIFWZVK4SIy0FvqCKje8Inrue0jaJajKoHFWVEU6OPO6rkLQFB5GnEpH4rv17C0hv-tvnj5xg_OBZUSXJ7VH0CxIYxLY8otAdNabSyJJ1WRDMawwlllu-YeO37ys_gONMmuEGSv9E6waIfrrgAzvUFbjdQcIWN_06WBBkKu4ilh4jehM2Jks/s788/midterm%20elections%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="788" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oqHkSIFWZVK4SIy0FvqCKje8Inrue0jaJajKoHFWVEU6OPO6rkLQFB5GnEpH4rv17C0hv-tvnj5xg_OBZUSXJ7VH0CxIYxLY8otAdNabSyJJ1WRDMawwlllu-YeO37ys_gONMmuEGSv9E6waIfrrgAzvUFbjdQcIWN_06WBBkKu4ilh4jehM2Jks/w400-h225/midterm%20elections%202022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>A full week after polls closed in the US midterm elections of 2022, the counting had yet to wrap up in many counties and states. The drawn-out count had the nation on tenterhooks as it awaited results in battleground states that could dictate the makeup of Congress. For many Americans, the delay brought back fraught memories of 2020 when it took several excruciating days for the winning presidential candidate to be determined. <br /><br />News consumption has changed drastically in recent years. With social media circulating information worldwide at lightening speeds we have become accustomed to immediate access to information. In this context, election authorities are asking Americans to wait an entire week while diligent poll workers process paper ballots – an impossible ask. <br /><br />The speed of election results is a variable that needs to be evaluated urgently by election commissions. It’s no longer enough for election officers to facilitate voting and counting votes accurately. Together with voter participation, or the security and accuracy of results, speed is a key variable to preserve election integrity. In the absence of results, information voids will be filled with conspiracy theories of all kinds. <br /><br />One of the main causes of the delay in the US is the large number of voters who choose to participate using the modality of voting by mail. According to data from the US census, in 2020, 43% of voters exercised their right by sending their ballot by mail. The rising popularity of vote by mail is clear evidence that voters appreciate convenience. Yet, this is a voting method that presents many challenges for those who administer the election. Each envelope received must be reviewed to validate the voter's signature, and then be passed through an optical scanner that registers the voter's vote. The use of drop boxes in some jurisdictions also holds up the process as it necessitates physical retrieval of ballots and segregation into correct precincts. <br /><br />Although participation rates in the US soared in the last couple elections, for decades it trailed that of many other industrialized nations. According to a Pew Research Center study, election participation in the US ranked 31st among <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/11/01/turnout-in-u-s-has-soared-in-recent-elections-but-by-some-measures-still-trails-that-of-many-other-countries/">OECD countries</a>. Facing participation declines, election authorities prioritized participation and promoted voting by mail. The increase of division and polarization that surround our elections, and the ubiquity of disinformation should make election officials reconsider their priorities. <br /><br />The 2022 midterm elections have made it abundantly clear that authorities need to implement technology-based solutions to speed up vote counting and processing. It is time to give voters who want the convenience of casting their ballot remotely the option to vote online. Estonia, a Baltic nation with a long-standing tradition of fighting Russian hackers could be a good example to emulate. Since 2005, Estonians have had the option to securely cast a ballot online or to head to a polling station to cast a ballot with pen and paper. Online voting is now the preferred voting option. <br /><br />Allowing voters to cast their ballot online would decrease the number of ballots election workers process manually. Results could be immediately published on election night. This small, yet important reform could go a long way fighting the disinformation that abounds in the critical hours of election night. </p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-31639649517998302812022-10-06T06:53:00.001-07:002022-10-06T06:53:02.934-07:00Uneventful Brazil polls silence critics<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MLkkqN-gVafnl8b1WjpH5PRy-vL9mgn0s1MBZqm1GfNdLkyO3tY_Od4PXQIFUfvDoIAgOPY0ZTK-JpY4CpIkjVF85xR7oOnaDExdG5ovxq-GWDNIb3GTujddVHoVfW5X5NbHr6jVBApd25dGpqOwByktBSKGgst6gAh4AZlg-2dkSdU6CZhy_FVj/s2121/iStock-1352310252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1414" data-original-width="2121" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MLkkqN-gVafnl8b1WjpH5PRy-vL9mgn0s1MBZqm1GfNdLkyO3tY_Od4PXQIFUfvDoIAgOPY0ZTK-JpY4CpIkjVF85xR7oOnaDExdG5ovxq-GWDNIb3GTujddVHoVfW5X5NbHr6jVBApd25dGpqOwByktBSKGgst6gAh4AZlg-2dkSdU6CZhy_FVj/w400-h266/iStock-1352310252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Despite dire predictions, Brazil’s first round of elections proceeded smoothly and concluded without hitches. The country’s election system proved to be up to scratch as it was able to count over 100 million votes by midnight, enabling poll authorities to publish results online without delay. <br /><br />A mission formed by observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) has released <a href="https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/en/politica/noticia/2022-10/oas-report-says-1st-round-took-place-order-and-normality">a report</a> lauding the “orderly and normal manner” of the vote. <br /><br />“The mission salutes the people of Brazil, who turned out to vote yesterday, Sunday, to express their will in a peaceful and democratic manner. Under a highly tense and polarized atmosphere, Brazilian citizens showed maturity and civic commitment,” the report said. <br /><br />Similarly, markets were upbeat about first-round results. In a <a href="https://www.euronews.com/2022/10/04/brazil-election-runoff-explainer">note to investors</a>, J.P. Morgan sounded guardedly optimistic about the polls. <br /><br />"The risks around political polarization, with non-acceptance of the ballot results must be monitored, but so far there have been no notable events to report," it said. <br /><br />The undramatic polls contrast markedly with the gloom and doom scenario being painted by incumbent president Bolsonaro during the run-up. It might be recalled that Bolsonaro went after the election system hammer and tongs, relentlessly questioning its credibility, and warning of widespread unrest should he lose. <br /><br />Analysts had feared that Bolsonaro’s polemics was a dangerous tactic to hold on to power, as the incumbent had trailed his rival, ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in all pre-election surveys. Yet Bolsonaro mustered 43.2% of the votes to Lula’s 48.4%, an impressive showing for the perceived underdog. Under Brazil’s election laws, if no candidate gets 50% of the vote in the first round of voting, a runoff election between the highest scoring candidates will be held. <br /><br />Analysts note that the stronger-than-expected showing of Bolsonaro had seemingly silenced his rhetoric against the voting system. With the prophesied anomalies turning out to be duds, the whole narrative appeared to have been defanged. <br /><br />Bolsonaro’s sudden silence on the matter is likely to be taken by the public as a walk back and an acknowledgement that the election system he had been denouncing in fact works. This tacit retraction could prove crucial to the country’s post-election stability as Da Silva, despite failing to score an outright win, still pulled 6,000,000 more votes than Bolsonaro, and enjoys an advantage going into the taut mano-a-mano matchup set on Oct. 30.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-58406529548840746972022-09-24T07:35:00.001-07:002022-10-10T07:41:08.128-07:00Belying fraud allegations: Court upholds Angola polls, African Union lauds successful vote<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sfVr7ZVLHJsB2-f41PsD47BJfyWcBso0pMT92AJvQr9Y9DzrRAngx1orLvYBwsP-7B0DK8tGg3lRy-aNDxdI-xC03_Pwk0635_PCe3MC9AAYgYH_M_eVKhfG6SEreSS0lZ5kavBDnazEWXQ8rCDklLQD9SfK1hiOn2UpiN5ha9q0yWKFXX6amXSN/s1256/Angola-elections-commission-2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="1256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0sfVr7ZVLHJsB2-f41PsD47BJfyWcBso0pMT92AJvQr9Y9DzrRAngx1orLvYBwsP-7B0DK8tGg3lRy-aNDxdI-xC03_Pwk0635_PCe3MC9AAYgYH_M_eVKhfG6SEreSS0lZ5kavBDnazEWXQ8rCDklLQD9SfK1hiOn2UpiN5ha9q0yWKFXX6amXSN/s320/Angola-elections-commission-2022.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><p>In a deathblow to the 2022 aspirations of the Angola’s opposition, the Constitutional Court of Angola junked the electoral protest lodged by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), declaring the case to be bereft of merit. <br /><br />The decision upheld the win of the MPLA (People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola), which had dominated the African country’s political landscape for nearly five decades. It also handed President Joao Lourenco a second term. <br /><br />UNITA leader Adalberto Costa Junior had cried foul over alleged discrepancies between the count of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and his party's own tally. The poll body, on the other hand, had mightily defended the process to be fair and transparent. <br /><br />UNITA claims that its parallel count shows it edging MPLA with the most razor-thin of margins — 49.5% vs 48.2%. A parallel count by civic movement Mudei indeed mirrors UNITA’s numbers. <br /><br />In the face of the final and unappealable decision, UNITA and other opposition parties have called for peaceful demonstrations against so-called irregularities. <br /><br />The biggest red flag seems to be the poll body’s failure to release results sheets from individual polling stations as they did in 2017, denying UNITAS the opportunity to compare it with parallel counts. Angola’s NEC only published aggregated results from 19 provinces. Exacerbating the bad optics is the fact that the CNE is largely MPLA-controlled, and that four out of the sixteen commissioners have repudiated the results. <br /><br />The opposition also decries the lack of election observers, where only 1,300 were present to cover a country twice as big France, and questions why MPLA was given more airtime than others. <br /><br />Yet even as the controversy hogged the headlines, analysts largely view the allegations as a fly in the ointment in an otherwise successful election. This, as election observers led by the influential African Union (AU), have cited the largely peaceful conduct of the polls. <br /> <br />AU Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat had lauded the exercise as an important milestone in the history of Angola, saying that "once again, the people of Angola have demonstrated their resolve for continuous search for democratic and participatory governance in their country.” <br /><br />The chairperson went on to congratulate Angolans for turning out in droves to exercise their democratic right to choose their leaders, commend he smooth conduct of the polls, and praise the everyone involved for conducting themselves peacefully throughout the electoral process. <br /><br />Mahamat has also urged Angolans to continue committing to peace and democracy, appealing for a peaceful and lawful resolution to all election disputes. </p><br />E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-40745081084238518802022-08-18T13:17:00.005-07:002022-08-19T08:38:03.193-07:00Kenya shuns past, holds first peaceful vote in years<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfIB1XecWLLaJuOnu0Tkf_QKtlvBzqGjhV5gtzderiiKx8oB8lOffcgX4GB2bUBQ7kYS-2OWA2N5MXrakfyUfwepT1EKgQDSxg77-o6fIQzkEyWsE7MzxRC252IDLeLs9AbRXD0nnjWHVohc90LCDxbGDYF_tVMmTlf3BhLxAC06flcKVH1_CmJFH/s1280/kenya-g3273ee38c_1280.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1280" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfIB1XecWLLaJuOnu0Tkf_QKtlvBzqGjhV5gtzderiiKx8oB8lOffcgX4GB2bUBQ7kYS-2OWA2N5MXrakfyUfwepT1EKgQDSxg77-o6fIQzkEyWsE7MzxRC252IDLeLs9AbRXD0nnjWHVohc90LCDxbGDYF_tVMmTlf3BhLxAC06flcKVH1_CmJFH/s320/kenya-g3273ee38c_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br />International election observers heaved a sigh of relief as the Kenyan elections came to a close without violence in a stark departure from past polls that had been pockmarked by killings. <br /><br />“On election day, voters exercised their right to vote in a general peaceful manner throughout the day,” <a href="https://thecommonwealth.org/news/kenya-elections-largely-peaceful-and-transparent-say-commonwealth-observers">lauded Ivan Stefance, head of the EU observation mission.</a> <br /><br />In a <a href="https://production-new-commonwealth-files.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2022-08/Kenya%20COG%202022%20-%20Interim%20Statement%20Final.pdf?VersionId=61mkKIeb3aoZdKYlCEZzXU1A4oQGgNqO">statement</a>, Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister of Jamaica and the current chairman the Commonwealth Observer Group commended the people of Kenya for the “peaceful and orderly manner in which they exercised their right to vote on 9 August 2022. <br /><br />“It is our hope that by bringing this electoral process to a successful conclusion, Kenya will serve as an inspiration for the Commonwealth and indeed, the rest of the world, that relevant lessons have been learned from the past, and that each successive election is an improvement on the previous one,” Golding said. <br /><br />Although the matter is more nuanced, many observers are already singling out this year’s successful implementation of technology as a significant factor in keeping violence at bay. <br /><br />“The mission commends the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for the successful use of technology for voter registration voter identification and transmission of results. It has improved efficiency and increased the transparency for the election process in Kenya. At least those of us who were here in the last election can attest to that,” said <a href="https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/eac-observers-laud-kenya-use-of-technology-in-election-3911178">Jakaya Kikwete</a>, Head of the East African Community Observation Mission, and former President of Tanzania.<br /><br />Dr. Ernest Bai Koromo, former president of the Republic of Sierra Leone <a href="https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/international-observers-contented-with-kenyan-electoral-process/">noted the improvement</a> in the overall voting exercise across the country. “Polling stations opened on time, voters were identified easily by digital kits and no major security incident was reported," he said. <br /><br />“As a result of these changes to the Results Transmission System (RTS), the provisional presidential election results were publicly accessible on the IEBC portal. The Mission welcomes introducing these transparency measures to improve the integrity of the electoral process,” Koromo added. <br /><br />The IEBC earned plaudits from the Commonwealth Observer Group for learning from past lessons, saying that “the Group notes that the IEBC applied a lessons-learned approach from the 2017 elections and adopted new software and hardware through the requisition of the KIEMS kit from a company called Smartmatic. It was noted that the IEBC undertook two simulation exercises of the KIEMS kits for the electronic transmission of results, the second of which our Advance Team was able to observe. We acknowledge these efforts, as the transparency they displayed contributed to building confidence in this key feature of the electoral process.” <br /><br />The Kenyan election saw Deputy President William Samoei Ruto, 55, winning narrowly with 50.49 percent of the votes over his rival Raila Odinga, 77, who took 48.85 percent. Although Odinga is contesting his loss, political observers largely believe the election results to be credible. <br /><br />Election watchdog ELOG (Elections Observation Group), a federation of more than a dozen NGOs, said that its <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/16/kenyan-observer-group-says-its-projections-tally-official-results">parallel vote tabulation (PVT) estimates were consistent</a> with IEBC’s official results. <br /><br /> “In light of our assessment of the Election Day processes and given that IEBC figures fall within the projected ranges, the PVT projections, therefore, corroborate the official results,” said the group’s chairperson Anne Ireri. <br /><br />Kenyan citizens and election observers had been on tenterhooks during the lead up to the elections over fears that this year’s exercise would be a repeat of the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kenya-media-trauma-idINKCN0RP00Y20150925">bloody elections in 2007</a> where 1,200 people were killed and in the <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/12/africa/kenya-elections-protests/index.html">2017 violence</a> which left 24 people dead across the nation.</p><br />E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-66414752249524327602022-08-01T09:07:00.001-07:002022-08-01T09:07:09.801-07:00E-voting wins big among Philippine voters; earns praise worldwide <p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfVXcxHMfj78sX2A3ZvGR0uuYI6Q2Mf691FWj30G8dCZ6_eQEU1fYKGtE02lB_7yrIW1_U946ldjN0bKr0QtCmUo2kHMrDgxQLlnkZlwGrxAlSxr9yUNvEE9NF0yzycNs-KjExEycUD_EO6mGZeuEUvUZgTeP7piZesRjNNYDKtrpXUDNIPGGZnj1/s1254/philippines_flag_elected.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1254" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfVXcxHMfj78sX2A3ZvGR0uuYI6Q2Mf691FWj30G8dCZ6_eQEU1fYKGtE02lB_7yrIW1_U946ldjN0bKr0QtCmUo2kHMrDgxQLlnkZlwGrxAlSxr9yUNvEE9NF0yzycNs-KjExEycUD_EO6mGZeuEUvUZgTeP7piZesRjNNYDKtrpXUDNIPGGZnj1/s320/philippines_flag_elected.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></p><p><br />Nine out of ten Filipino voters prefer future elections to be automated, according to a <a href="https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/7/18/Pulse-Asia-May-2022-elections-credible-survey.html">new Pulse Asia survey</a>. <br /><br />The findings are part of the result of the survey commissioned by brain trust Stratbase ADR in the wake of the country’s general elections in May. <br /><br />Since the country had starting using e-voting in 2010, approval for elections had sharply risen, from 30% in the last manual election to 82% in the most recent automated election. <br /><br />Aside from 90% of voters finding the elections credible and trustworthy, the survey also revealed that 95% of the 1,200 respondents’ voters found the vote counting machines (VCMs) easy to use. <br /><br />The polling firm observed widespread acceptance of the automated election system notwithstanding isolated reports of some voters waiting in line for hours in the stifling heat. <br /><br />"We find here that nine out of 10 Filipinos are satisfied with the vote counting machines, significantly higher in [the] Mindanao [region], [where] you have 99% expressing satisfaction with the vote counting machines," Pulse Asia President Ronnie Holmes said in a forum. <br /><br />The survey showed that two-thirds of Filipino adults believe that the 2022 elections are "more credible now" compared to the presidential polls in 2016, while 18% said these were "as credible as before." Only 6% said the election results were less credible this year. <br /><br />The survey findings are consistent with the results of the mandatory Random Manual Audit where the electronic results registered a <a href="https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1601161/comelec-random-manual-audit-of-votes-matches-99-9-of-ers">99.95% match</a> with manual count of ballots from 746 randomly selected precincts. <br /><br />The elections also earned plaudits from the international circles. <br /><br />Ned Price, US State Department Spokesman said that “<a href="• https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1174165 " target="_blank">the casting and counting of votes were conducted in line with international standards</a> and without significant incident.” <br /><br />The head of the observation mission from the Carter Center, Peter Wardle, noted that the elections were well-run, saying that “We found in our analysis of the election process that there were no significant gaps in the process and in particular, to pick up the theme of trust, we were impressed by the fact that in the Philippines, there are a number of mechanisms which are running either alongside or as<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb4csJEaTrQ " target="_blank"> a check on the automated voting to help build trust in the process.</a>” <br /><br />Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshiwaka Kazuhiko<a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJPNinPH/status/1523956954301100032" target="_blank"> cited the smooth conduct of the election</a>. <br /><br />“I was honored to have witnessed first-hand this incredible exercise of democracy. I look forward to working with the new administration in bringing Japan and Philippine ties to greater heights,” he said in a tweet.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-72094168902214190552022-07-06T07:36:00.002-07:002022-07-06T07:36:27.141-07:00Presidential candidate in Brazil to seek own voting system audit <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptkx39w_vGR2teSnPeByD4l4VGD1ojzNOZxTjYKecvTtQmco-RutE07e9r6-ffq75FzT7kFFrqvDyQXnc2TtoL9DgjLdSTCbydsuugRvvnFaukJ2A0nTP9CQuHMTTtbyQzb2PWDFGo21KhpNWjnkYyvLxV76a8gSPSJnxm7FUKKjjF5y6lWAy9xjG/s4517/rafaela-biazi-0mfj0jJt0dY-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="4517" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhptkx39w_vGR2teSnPeByD4l4VGD1ojzNOZxTjYKecvTtQmco-RutE07e9r6-ffq75FzT7kFFrqvDyQXnc2TtoL9DgjLdSTCbydsuugRvvnFaukJ2A0nTP9CQuHMTTtbyQzb2PWDFGo21KhpNWjnkYyvLxV76a8gSPSJnxm7FUKKjjF5y6lWAy9xjG/s320/rafaela-biazi-0mfj0jJt0dY-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the feverish run up to the Brazilian elections in October, President Jair Bolsonaro is <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/6/brazil-bolsonaro-says-he-will-seek-audit-of-voting-system">seeking an audit of the voting system</a>, a move that comes after the embattled leader had relentlessly questioned the credibility of the country’s voting systems. <br /><br />“As allowed by electoral law, we will hire a company to do the audit,” Bolsonaro said. <br /><br />“People want transparent elections in which the vote is effectively counted for their candidate.” <br /><br />The president’s sweeping claims had been met with backlash, the most furious of which had come from Brazil’s Supreme Electoral Court judges who had flatly refuted Bolsonaro’s allegations and categorically declaring that Brazil’s electoral system is free of fraud. <br /><br />Luis Barroso, president of Brazil’s Supreme Electoral Court, once fired back at Bolsonaro saying “threatening the realization of an election represents anti-democratic behavior. Polluting the public debate with disinformation, lies, hatred and conspiracy theories represents anti-democratic behavior.” <br /><br />Surprisingly, Bolsonaro appears to have made a fatal misstep as a recent Genial/Quaest opinion survey shows that his bombastic attacks on the voting system is <a href="https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/bolsonaro-attacks-on-brazil-voting-system-losing-him-moderate-voters--poll-says/47584436">turning off moderate voters</a>. Furthermore, despite the vitriol spewed against the voting system, trust of electronic voting machines among Brazilians has increased to 22% of the electorate from a low of 27% in September, the survey revealed. <br /><br />More alarmingly for Bolsonaro, the poll also showed that voter support for him dipped after three months of gains against former Lula. <br /><br />The survey indicated that if the elections were held in April, Lula would have won 46% of the votes against 29% for Bolsonaro. Lula is on track to reaching 50% of the votes and winning the election right in the first round, according to the survey. In case the contest goes to a second-round runoff, the survey said that Lula would defeat Bolsonaro by 54% versus 34%. <br /><br />"Voters believe the president is wrong to confront the Supreme Court, to question the credibility of electronic voting machines," said survey director Felipe Nunes. <br /><br />Moderate voters are the swing votes that could be key to winning the election because most supporters of Bolsonaro or Lula have already decided who they will vote for.</p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-29556105568657187322022-05-12T09:14:00.001-07:002022-05-12T09:14:04.233-07:00Filipinos buck pandemic, heat; hold successful elections<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2w5SHe5qOlyn5HgGXAN1KXCDKBbc31O745bI7LEUgnybIf5qmT0KiHCctL42HdeDwNXoAm5vC_1UMaTALn5JPyaBQY-j-4x9p3ke1q899D55I4syVa9V-nHqaZUq7x7Am-6KGIXq9ngrMwqBLcGLTxJu0M2aOD7xdtDP8ti_kahS_E_S6wtqT970/s2992/Philippine%20Elections.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2992" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2w5SHe5qOlyn5HgGXAN1KXCDKBbc31O745bI7LEUgnybIf5qmT0KiHCctL42HdeDwNXoAm5vC_1UMaTALn5JPyaBQY-j-4x9p3ke1q899D55I4syVa9V-nHqaZUq7x7Am-6KGIXq9ngrMwqBLcGLTxJu0M2aOD7xdtDP8ti_kahS_E_S6wtqT970/s320/Philippine%20Elections.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
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<p></p>Despite the oppressive summer heat that peaked at 90°F and the lingering presence of Covid, voters turned out in record numbers as officials staged an efficient Philippine 2022 election with minimal disruptions. <br /><br />The 2022 elections were accurate and fast. On election night, results were published with 85% of election returns electronically transmitted to canvassing centers. The process was the fastest yet in the country’s history, which international observer election watchdogs have deemed to be above-board. <br /><br />US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the <a href="#">May 9 elections were conducted according to international standards</a> and without any major incident. <br /><br />Turnout exceeded 53 million – or 80% of eligible voters – a substantial showing in a country that had been averaging a 76% turnout for the past two decades. <br /><br />Despite the abundance of disinformation, Filipinos trust their election automation. According to two independent surveys, most Filipino voters trusted the results of the country’s 2019 elections (89%) and they are overwhelmingly satisfied with the automated election system (87%). Another survey revealed that 9 out of 10 Filipinos want all their future elections to be automated. <br /><br />This is a trend that has held fast since the first automated elections in 2010 – and with good reason. The automated system has yielded accuracy above 99.9% since it was first introduced. Further, results are published just hours after the polls close, not weeks or months as it had been with manual elections. <br /><br />While trust in the electoral process and turnout are seeing a decline in most parts of the world, Filipinos are finding a good reason to be proud of their election. E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6209499332354099674.post-54987936763126411932022-03-20T08:32:00.009-07:002022-07-15T09:34:45.725-07:00Spanish tech firm embroiled in Colombian election mess <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLAUiaoFkU3RT1z54_tIRSzWzspa3ecJswnAzgHXd-ctDVhIZVVcblvjcOFFrhAPzJY8r7_lNgtJOjLdA0GQVZxudO00ygw3xea65X-4B-H18X5WN67PYy-_jXeyUuhbQQnzxfS1qnxly91zR55F93LXyR6fggksG8Og7-eNtyv9rnBiBrR41birE/s1254/Colombian_elections_2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1254" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLAUiaoFkU3RT1z54_tIRSzWzspa3ecJswnAzgHXd-ctDVhIZVVcblvjcOFFrhAPzJY8r7_lNgtJOjLdA0GQVZxudO00ygw3xea65X-4B-H18X5WN67PYy-_jXeyUuhbQQnzxfS1qnxly91zR55F93LXyR6fggksG8Og7-eNtyv9rnBiBrR41birE/s320/Colombian_elections_2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Spanish technology company Indra finds itself in the center of controversy after being involved in the recent Colombian legislative election where a difference of 7% was found between the preliminary count and the final count of the votes. <br /><br />In the final count announced by the Registrar five days after the election, more than 400,000 new votes were found in favor of Historic Pact, the party of the candidate Gustavo Petro. The discrepancy resulted in the party going from from 16 to 19 senators to the detriment of the Conservative Party, the Green Alliance, and the Democratic Center, which lost one senator each. <br /><br />The usual difference in most Latin American countries that have preliminary results systems ranges from 0.5% to 1%. In Colombia, the difference between the two counts had never been greater than 1%. <br /><br />The unusual discrepancy in the results comes as the South American country is gripped by political tension and is feared to erode perceived electoral integrity, an ominous development ahead of the looming presidential elections. <br /><br />In these cases, international election watchdogs advise electoral officials to declare as clearly and precisely as possible the origin of these discrepancies, in order to ensure that public confidence in the system is maintained. Contrary to this, the Colombian Registry has not given clear answers. Currently the Registrar is being harshly questioned by various political sectors that demand answers, including Senator María Fernanda Cabal, and former President Andrés Pastrana. <br /><br />Suspicions stemmed from the questionable hiring of Indra on December 29, 2021, while the country was on a break for the holidays. In a bidding process that the Registrar's Office had initially declared void, Indra competed with itself and received the contract to oversee the preliminary counting software at the national level. <br /><br />Questions deepened after Gustavo Petro and two senior Indra officials had a meeting in Madrid, presumably brokered registrar Alexander Vega. The clandestine meeting was exposed by former president Andrés Pastrana, who filed a disciplinary complaint with the Attorney General's Office against the registrar. <br /><br />Today, just two months before the presidential elections, Colombia is facing a clamor for a total recount of votes by different political forces and demands for Alexander Vega to resign due to the irregular handling of contracts in the Registry. <br /><br />Election experts fear this to be the worst legitimacy crises in the electoral process in decades and a stinging reminder of the need for the country to get serious in modernizing its electoral process. With the use of a modern and efficient voting system, Colombia could put an end to the decades-old problem of results manipulation as well as any problems related to ambiguous ballot markings. </p>E-lectedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077439046339687640noreply@blogger.com