FOR fanatic supporters of certain losing candidates, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is wrong in providing election results the fastest way possible thru its transparency server which is carried by media networks for public dissemination. These critics even tried to undermine the poll body's credibility by rejecting Comelec Commissioner George Garcia's explanation on why some vote counting machines failed to deliver.
The critics say if these machines were old and unreliable, how then were they able to transmit results that fast?
On the basis of this flawed conjecture they wanted to sow discord and try to assail the partial, unofficial count—just because their candidates are losing the race.
This is the kind of reasoning and logic of the noisy crowd, who unrealistically fail to see that only a very small number of machines failed to run smoothly.
For them, it's damned if you do and damned if you don't, and the Automated Election System (AES) is unreliable if they don't win. They even have the temerity to question the state of information technology in the Philippines, saying that we are not capable of such speed. This nitpicking crowd will hit you if you are fast, and will hit you harder if you are slow.
For the record, it is edifying that Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said at least 73.34 percent have transmitted poll results as of 10:19 p.m. on Monday. That's less than three hours after the polling centers closed.
“At exactly 10:19 p.m., nakapag-transmit na po ng 73.34 percent in three hours or so. This translates po to 106,174 na precinct na [may vote counting machines] VCMs; 77,877 na po ang nakapag-transmit ganon karami na po sila,” he said. “Kami po ay namangha sa bilis ng resultang ito,” he added.
Because of these early election results, the Comelec spokesperson said the proclamation of winners for the local positions may be held as early as May 11, which indeed occurred.
Early proclamation of winners, aside from concession statements from losing candidates, will diffuse any political tension in the localities. It is to the credit of the Comelec if the proclamation of winning local officials is done early.
Why should we prolong the anxiety, pressure and tension that might lead to violence if the results are clear as day?
As for the senatorial and party-list contests, and the presidential and vice-presidential races, well, the Comelec and Congress may take their time in taking great care in the canvassing of votes.
It is good for democracy that the Philippines was able to conduct a relatively peaceful and credible elections this year, and for this, the Comelec under Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan should be cited.