UF HOPE STATEMENT

The United Front for Honest Orderly and Peaceful Elections, an Election
Monitoring Organization composed of different partner organizations working
together for the National and Local Elections in Zamboanga City, through its
volunteers deployed in the various polling precincts, have observed that:
1. A great number of Vote Counting Machines (VCM) being used in the
conduct of the polls have malfunctioned and is causing delays for the
voters to cast their votes.
2. These Vote Counting Machines were also found to cause paper jams
where ballots were not being accepted properly because they are too
large to fit in the Ballot Entry Slot.
3. Some of the Vote Counting Machines were not able to print the
required Voters Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). Particular cases have
been reported about the VVPAT reflecting a different set of names
altogether from what the voters have chosen in their ballots.
4. Partisan poll watchers from various political groups were seen assisting
illiterate, persons with disabilities and senior citizen voters inside the
polling precincts.
5. Massive disenfranchisement of voters is still a perennial problem due
to names of voters not found on the Computerized Voters List.
UF HOPE urge COMELEC to respond to the issues especially those pertaining
to the VCMs and the disenfranchisement of voters. We need COMELEC to:
1. IMMEDIATELY respond to the requests of repair and replacement of the
VCMs in various polling precincts in the City.
2. EFFICIENTLY instruct the Technicians and Board of Election Inspectors
in the Polling Precincts with regard to contingency procedures.
3. UPHOLD the right of the voters to verify their votes through the VVPAT
as mandated by the Supreme Court and accommodate complaints
raised because of discrepancies.
4. ENSURE the secrecy and sanctity of votes cast by illiterates, persons
with disability and senior citizens.
5. UPDATE the Computerized Voters List to ensure that no further
disenfranchisement will happen in the future elections.
UF HOPE calls on everyone to pray for patience and sobriety amid confusions
and frustrations brought about by circumstances beyond our control; to not
resort to violence and to have a favorable outcome of the polls.