May 7, 2010 (as of 3:40 PM) – Updates from Kontra Daya monitoring teams confirm reports that the final testing and sealing (FTS) of precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines set yesterday has been rescheduled to May 9 in some areas around the country.

In the Bicol region, the FTS in Catanduanes and Camarines Norte was moved to May 9, a day before the country’s first automated national elections. In Legazpi City and Sto. Domingo and Guinobatan towns in Albay, the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) are still awaiting the delivery of the compact flash (CF) cards.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the FTS in Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Caloocan, Valenzuela, and Parañaque was also moved to May 9 as the CF cards have yet to be delivered.

Meanwhile, Comelec has also resumed today the FTS of PCOS machines in Makati, Manila, Pasay, and Taguig after testing was suspended due to malfunctioning CF cards. Reports from Makati indicate that the FTS went smoothly, with the machine and manual counts showing similar results.

In Saranggani, the FTS was also moved to May 9. Concerns were raised about the security of the PCOS machines in the province such as in Barangay Maasim, Kiraba. The PCOS machine, according to a report received by Kontra Daya, is being stored in the barangay hall, one kilometer away from the polling center. No Comelec official is present to oversee the machine’s security, which has been relegated to the care of the military.

Kontra Daya has also monitored that in some areas, the PCOS machines have not yet arrived as of today.

In Ticao Island in Masbate, for instance, PCOS machines remain undelivered while in the Albay towns of Cotmon and Camalig, the delivery of PCOS machines is still incomplete. (End)