By Margaux Ortiz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 20:13:00 02/13/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- The Department of Budget and Management has released more than P867 million for the automation of the August 2008 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Commission on Elections announced Wednesday.

Comelec spokesperson James Arthur Jimenez said the DBM's issuance of a Special Allocation Release Order for the amount of P867,329,000 meant that the Comelec could now initiate the bidding process for the automated election system in the Mindanao region.

Jimenez added that the bid documents would be made available to prospective bidders on Thursday.

“The Request for Proposal for the automation of the ARMM elections was drafted in close coordination with the Advisory Council and bears the council's stamp of approval,” Jimenez said.

He added, “In fact, the RFP was prepared to follow the council's recommendation that the ARMM elections should be fully automated using both Direct Recording Electronic, and Optical Mark Reader technology.”

The Advisory Council is the body of expert advisers created by Republic Act 9369 tasked to recommend to the Comelec which technology to use for the automation of the elections, Jimenez said.

	1. Written by Yellow Bird on 13-02-2008 23:29 - Guest
	This is the moment we are waiting for- a change on the perennial way of electing our leaders characterized by cheating, use of force, the participation of teachers, treasurers, comelec, police in rigging the elections!  If we can elect qualified and honest leaders in an honest election, we are sure to expect progress and development.   Let us be vigilant, as a start in the ARMM elections. Our only worry is how to cleanse the voters' list with double registrants and rampant vote buying, if this automated election pushes through!  Every citizen in the ARMM should do their part to protect the sanctity of the ballot so that if this exercise is successful, expect a great change in our lives! Allah help us!Ameen

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