Random manual recount of votes

COMMONSENSE

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

It's all very clear already who are the senatorial candidates who won in the race for the 12 seats. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would like, however, to formally proclaim the new set of senators all together, at the same time. The Comelec expects to complete today (Friday) at the earliest the canvassing of election returns (ERs) all over the country.

This is the last ceremonial function to be undertaken by the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) headed by Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, who reported 81.65 percent turnout of the over 68 million registered voters. Winding down the just concluded May 12, 2025 midterm elections, accredited elections watchdogs have only kind words of congratulations for the Garcia-led Comelec for a job well done. The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) gave an 80 percent grade to the seven-man Comelec. That is as far as no major incident or controversy and scandal that could otherwise lead to a "failure of elections" or tarnish the final outcome of the just concluded polls.

"The attitude of Comelec is very different. They are very open to suggestions and recommendations," NAMFREL chairman Lito Averia said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum last Wednesday. On the other hand, Averia could only give a "passing mark" of 70 percent to the new automated counting machines (ACMs) procured by the Comelec from Miru Systems of South Korea.