Indigenous and indigent people who cannot even read or write and who have not seen much less use a computer in their lives expressed anxiety Sunday in using the automated polling machine in the May 10 elections, saying the technology is still "alien" to them.

This sentiment was aired by Mar Gaiton, media liaison of Katribu party-list, during the weekly Tinapayan sa Dapitan forum in Manila.

He said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should send personnel in far-flung areas to give assistance to indigenous and indigent voters who have not even seen a computer in their lives during the elections.

“Marami sa mga katutubo ang hindi marunong bumasa at sumulat, pagkatapos ay gagamit pa ngayon ng computer sa pagboto. Kailangan na magpadala ng mga assistors ang Comelec na gagabay sa mga katutubo para bumoto,” he said.

He, however, clarified that the minorities are not against the automated elections as he said that the minorities are supporting the new mode of elections in the country.