MANILA, Philippines - Despite criticisms arising from the first nationwide automated elections in the Philippines, Smartmatic Asia-Pacific President Cesar Flores still believes the recent election was close to success.

In an interview with Karen Davila on ANC’s Headstart Monday morning, Flores rated Smartmatic’s performance with a 9 out of 10 rating (10 being the highest), even with machine-failure reports and transmission problems.

“Many things can be improved, but for a first time, a project of this magnitude, I think it went very well”, said Flores. 

Flores said the success of an election doesn’t depend on technology alone.

“It’s always a combination of technology and procedures, and the way they (users) use technology determines the success.”

Cheating without trace impossible

Since many of the PCOS machines shut down during the Election Day, losing candidates thought cheating was done through the Compact Flash Cards.
But Flores said cheating is not possible without leaving evidence.

“You cannot cheat in this system without leaving a trail. If you have doubt, ask for a recount”, he added.

Flores also challenged detractors to prove allegations of electronic cheating. “Whoever has allegations of cheating should bring the evidence forward”, he said.

Wrong date 'not proof of fraud'

During the program, Davila showed Flores copies of election returns (ERs) in Manila which allegedly prove that former Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza was cheated by his rival and winner in the mayoralty race Mayor Alfredo Lim.

The ERs were dated April 26, May and May 9 instead of the official election date of May 10.

Flores said that this mistake might be the result of the clock being reset when the Pecos machines were shut down. 

“That is in no way proof of fraud. The clock may have been reset”, he said.

Flores asked the poll body to finish the random manual audit in order to add credibility to the automated elections.

“I appeal to COMELEC to finish [random] manual audit so public will know the results were counted correctly”, he said.

Comelec's 'very important' role

Flores disclosed the COMELEC has the option to purchase the PCOS technology used in the May 10 elections until end of 2010.

He added he expects COMELEC to finally finish paying the 20% balance of the total P7-billion contract between COMELEC and Smartmatic before the year ends.

Flores cited the COMELEC’s role in the country's first nationwide automated election.

“COMELEC played a very important role in the election. We're grateful and humbled by how elections went. I congratulate Filipinos for their persistence and vigilance”.