The measure was earlier approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives bicameral conference committee but it failed to be approved in the plenary before Congress’ 30-day Christmas recess.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos Sr. said the only remaining aspect of automated election is still possible if Congress approves the automated election measure when it reconvenes in January next year, stressing that any further delay in the approval could also jeopardize electronic transmission of results.

But Abalos added that for electronic transmission of results of the coming election to succeed, it will have to be done also on selective basis such as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Abalos said the technology involved in the first two aspects of automated election, voting and counting, requires more time for technical evaluation and study. Compared to the technology involved in automated voting and counting, electronics transmission of results is less complicated.

He said electronic transmission will enable the people in Metro Manila to know within hours the results of elections in as far as Tawi-Tawi or Aparri. Since the elections results will be known fast, cheating could be largely prevented.

"Massive cheatings were committed in the past due to delayed submission of results. It was while the results of senatorial elections in far-flung areas were being awaited in Metro Manila that "dagdag bawas" cropped up," Abalos said. (E.T. Suarez)