Asia-Pacific

Philippine elections to be held on schedule

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-05 14:19

MANILA - The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) assured Wednesday that the general elections will be held on schedule.

"We will have automated elections on May 10," COMELEC Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal told a press briefing.

Larrazabal was reacting to calls for postponing the May 10 polls for 15 days after the votes counting machines failed test runs in some parts of the country.

Automated polls supplier Smartmatic-TIM spokesman Cesar Flores said that they're taking steps to ensure the successful implementation of the country's first ever automated elections.

"We are committed to pushing through. Philippines will have fast elections on May 10," he said.

Testing and sealing of the machines in Makati, Marikina, Paranaque, and Batangas will also start Wednesday. Flores also assured that shipment of machines to precincts will resume Wednesday.

"Everything will be ready by Sunday," he said.