Philippines’ Comelec looking to purchase biometrics-based voter registration machines

The Philippines’ Commission on Elections (Comelec) has allocated approximately P10 million (US$201,000) to voter registration machines (VRMs) and peripherals in anticipation of more voters registering for the upcoming polls, according to a report by Inquirer.net.

The bids and awards committee (BAC) posted an invitation to bid on the Comelec website, specifying that the allocation is intended for the continuing registration of voters.

The Commission is looking to purchase 130 units of the VRMs, which include desktop computers, uninterruptible power supply units, web cameras, signature pads and fingerprint scanners.

“The Comelec, through its BAC, invites interested bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the supply and delivery of VRMs and peripherals,” according to the bid invitation.

The approved budget contract has a total of P10,115,683.50 (US$203,325.24), with desktop computers costing P4,185,363 (US$84,125.80); UPS units at P358,800 (US$7,195.80); web cameras at P59,377.50 (US$1,193.49); signature pads at P598,143 (US$12,022.67) and fingerprint scanners at P4,914,000 (US$84,299.40).

According to the bid details, all bidding vendors must have accomplished a contract similar to the project in the last five years.

The bidding process will done through open competitive bidding, with the submissions deadline and the opening of bids set for February 13, 9 a.m.

The Comelec resumed its voters’ registration on November 7, 2016, which will run until April 29, 2017.

Meanwhile, the voters’ registration is scheduled for the October 23, 2017 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The Commission has anticipated three million more voters for the barangay elections and two million voters for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Earlier this month, the Philippines’ National Privacy Commission (NPC) ruled that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be held liable for the data breach at its voter database last March.

Article Topics

biometrics  |  Comelec  |  Philippines  |  voter identification