Eight of the presidential hopefuls except for independent candidate Senator Ana Maria “Jamby” Madrigal were a no-show at Friday's inspection of the poll body's ballot-printing facilities at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City.

But Madrigal said she was not pleased with the rundown on what is being undertaken by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the May automated elections.

“I was not satisfied with what I saw. There is a lot things that need (to be) safeguard. We are not sure if all the ballots will be printed (on time)...Comelec also removed one important feature that voters can't verify their vote whether it is counted or not,” she said.

Apart from getting a low rating from Madrigal, the Comelec was criticized by the lady senator for failing to meet its schedule on the deliveries of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines and other concerns in preparation for the automated polls.

“I voted against automation because this will become an electronic Garci. I have nothing against automation but a lot against the present Comelec. To make way for a clean and honest elections, there should be a revamp in the Comelec,” she added.