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The first completely paperless, fully automated elections in the Philippines started in U.P. a couple of years ago , and has been successfully used in the University-wide student council elections for two years. No ballots, no election returns, no certificates of canvass, and only a certified official voters’ list to ensure all those who vote are qualified and to prevent “flying voting” – an iron-clad safeguard. The counting is real-time. 
This morning, (Feb. 24), the Department of Journalism will use the same technology in a completely paperless, fully automated mock presidential elections from 8am to 7pm at the lobby outside the CMC auditorium at 8am to 7pm. The mock polls will be based on the official student voters’ list of U.P. CMC.
The software of the mock presidential polls was designed for the Department of Journalism yesterday afternoon by Computer Engineering student Rystrum Gamonez, president of the University
of the Philippines Linux Users Group or UNPLUGGED a university-wide student organization composed mainly of techies, more popularly referred to as “geeks”. He finished designing it in one hour, and installed it in an hour as he based it on an original design earlier used for student council elections in U.P.
After the mock presidential polls, the results will be signed and certified by three faculty members and two staffmembers. Winners and scores will be proclaimed during the CMC week in a media conference on March 2 at 10am at the CMC auditorium. After the proclamation of winners, and a brief discusson on voters’ preference, the Media Watch committe of CMC will read a statement on “Demands on, and expectations of the next President”. Then, a CMC Student Council representative will read an “Open Letter to the Next President” on the illegal arrest and detention of former CMC Student Councll Chair Jacquelyn Gonzales who was among those of the Morong 43.
The original design of the software was made earlier by UNPLUGGED members headed by Waldemar Bautista. Elections in U.P. have been completely paperless, except for several sheets of the voters’ list (or an official list of students eligible to vote). The official student voters’ list will also be used in the mock polls to preserve the integrity of the exercise.
See you this morning! [this is your invite to observe today’s mock polls (or to participate in, if you are a student) and to join us on Tuesday March 2 at the media conference.]
The Department of Journalism is holding automated mock presidential elections among future media practitioners, and, arguably, one of the most articulate sections of the U.P. students, tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010, at the lobby outside the auditorium of the U.P. College of Mass Com.
Video exit interviews of the “voters” on their choices and their reasons for voting for their candidate will be also be conducted.
An original software designed by U.P. Engineering students, members of the student organization, “Unplugged” will be used for the computerized mock polls. Observers say this software is simpler and better than the Smartmattic design (for future reference).
Winners will be proclaimed at a media conference during the CMC Week, on Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at 10am at the CMC auditorium, open to all news reporters and representatives of political parties (any prior, unofficial disclosure will be disclaimed by the Department). A discussion on voting preference of the youth will also be held. Join us! It’s open to the public (this is your invite).
(For details, please get in touch with Mae Emmanuel at 920-6852)
