Comelec personnel test and seal vote counting machines at the Pasong Tamo Elementary School in Quezon City on October 25, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file 

MANILA — Election watchdog Democracy Watch Philippines on Sunday sought clarifications from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) after South Korean firm Miru bagged the P18.8-billion FASTrAC project for the May 2025 automated elections.

Under the FASTrAC — Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count — the joint venture will supply the hardware, which includes 110,000 automated counting machines, laptops, ballot boxes and ballots, the software or the Consolidation and Canvassing System, and the Election Management System.

Miru bags P18.8-B project for May 2025 elections

Groups sound alarm over awarding of poll project to Miru Systems

In a statement, Democracy Watch asked the poll body if the prototype that Miru would use in the 2025 elections has been used before.

The group’s convenor, Lloyd Zaragoza said: “Since the post-qualification evaluations began, Democracy Watch has repeatedly asked whether the exact same ACM has ever been deployed in an election, as required by law.”

Aside from this, Democracy Watch “remains unsettled by the unresolved questions surrounding Miru's performance in other countries.”

In an earlier email to ABS-CBN News, Miru denied allegations that there were failures of elections in Iraq and in the Democratic Republic of Congo where they conducted elections.

“The election committee of DR Congo provided us a certificate of satisfaction following their elections, and there were also third-party organizations such as the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq observing all elections in Iraq and declaring them as fair and successful,” it said.

But Democracy Watch was not convinced. 

Comelec chief allays fears over Miru Systems

“Observers had anticipated a statement from Miru, clarifying and justifying the supposed 'success' of their technology, but convincing explanations have yet to materialize,” Zaragoza said.

Because of this, the group is calling for transparency on the side of Comelec.

ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro earlier also called for due diligence and transparency in evaluating Miru because of the allegations against it.

Sought for comment, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said, “anybody can question our decision to the [Supreme Court].”

“In the meantime, we will focus now on the drafting of the contract with the joint venture company and ensure that the best interest of the nation is upheld on each and every provision thereof,” he said.

“Our timelines are so tight hence, focus and determination are important. We cannot be disrupted on our preparations for the 2025 electoral exercises no matter how well- meaning the intentions are of certain groups or individuals.”

Garcia earlier said the Comelec investigated allegations of problematic elections conducted by Miru in Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo and received certification from these countries.

Now that the project was awarded, Miru will undergo contract negotiation with Comelec before a Notice to Proceed is issued and election paraphernalia is made.