Foreign country prohibits Smartmatic voting machines to protect election integrity
Philippine Commission on Elections Bans Smartmatic from Elections
The Philippine Commission on Elections has made the decision to ban Smartmatic Philippines Inc. from providing election technology to the nation, putting an end to their 13-year reign as the main provider.
The ban comes after allegations of bribery surfaced, claiming that commission chairman Andres Bautista was paid off to ensure Smartmatic won the contract for the 2016 elections. Bautista has denied these allegations.
Despite Smartmatic’s argument that they have followed all the rules and that the allegations against them are baseless, the commission remained unmoved.
“Although these allegations, stemming from incidents potentially spanning at least three election cycles, have not been conclusively proven, their gravity and potential to damage public trust warrant the Commission (En banc’s) proactive measures to safeguard the integrity of elections and democratic institutions,” the commission stated.
The decision was also influenced by a U.S. government request for information regarding possible violations of American laws. The investigation includes charges of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering.
“It is noteworthy that Bautista, who served as the Chairman of the Commission, was formally charged in September 2023, in connection with allegations of receiving bribes in exchange for awarding a contract for election machines to Smartmatic Corp,” the commission revealed.
The commission expressed concern that these charges cast doubt on the integrity of the voting process and the electoral system as a whole.
“The charges against Smartmatic and former Chairman Bautista are of public knowledge and tend to cause speculation and distrust of the electoral process,” the commission emphasized.
Recognizing the potential threat to the strength and integrity of democratic processes, the commission called for a review of the case by the nation’s Special Bids and Awards Committee for possible permanent disqualification and blacklisting from all government procurement proceedings.
It is important to note that the commission clarified that their decision does not question the integrity of the 2016 elections or any other automated elections conducted in the Philippines.
Read more: Foreign Country Bans Smartmatic Voting Machines Firm to ‘Safeguard Integrity of Elections’
How will the banning of Smartmatic from participating in future election technology contracts affect the Commission on Elections and the bidding process?
Ast three election cycles, do not relate directly to the present exercise, they cast serious doubts on the ability of the Commission on Elections to administer elections credibly,” said the Commission on Elections in a statement.
The ban means that Smartmatic will not be allowed to participate in the bidding process for future election technology contracts. This opens the doors for other companies to provide their services to the Commission on Elections, bringing in new competition and potential innovation.
Smartmatic has been the main provider of election technology in the Philippines since 2004, when they first introduced the automated election system. Their machines, which count the votes and transmit results electronically, have been used in all national and local elections since then.
Despite their long-standing partnership with the Commission on Elections, Smartmatic has faced criticism and controversy throughout the years. There have been allegations of vote-rigging, tampering with election results, and lack of transparency in the bidding process.
These allegations have always been strongly denied by Smartmatic, who insist that their machines are secure and their processes are transparent. However, the ban has now put an end to their reign as the main provider of election technology to the Philippines.
Many see the ban as a step towards restoring the integrity of the election process in the country. It sends a strong message that any form of corruption or impropriety will not be tolerated, especially in matters as important as elections.
The Commission on Elections has assured the public that they are exploring options for a new, credible, and transparent election technology provider. They have emphasized the importance of credibility and public trust in the election process, and are committed to ensuring a fair and honest electoral system.
As the ban on Smartmatic takes effect, all eyes will be on the Commission on Elections to see how they handle the transition. It is an opportunity for the commission to prove that they are dedicated to upholding the values of democracy and fairness in the Philippines.
Ultimately, the banning of Smartmatic from providing election technology in the Philippines is a significant milestone in the country’s electoral history. It serves as a reminder that the integrity of elections is paramount, and that measures will be taken to safeguard it. The next steps taken by the Commission on Elections will be crucial in shaping the future of the electoral process in the Philippines.
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