Comelec: Bidders for online voting system ineligible

The Commission on Elections has found ineligible the two bidders for the conduct of online voting, Comelec chairman George Garcia has said.

Found ineligible for the online voting and counting system project were Indra Soluciones Technologias de la Information, SLU, and We Are I.T. Philippines, Inc.

In a message to reporters, Garcia described the development as a “failure of bidding.”

In separate notices on Wednesday, the Comelec said the application of Indra Soluciones Technologias de la Information SLU was disqualified after it submitted a non-compliant net financial contracting capacity (NFCC).

The bidder also failed to submit the credentials of its third-party certifier, the certification of the final version of its system, and was found to have an incomplete change management plan.

Further, the company failed to complete its submission of standards of audit, had a non-compliant brochure for printer for auto-volt switching, and did not submit a demo unit version of the solution being offered in a CD or USB flash drive.

Meanwhile, We Are I.T. Philippines did not submit a compliant Statement of Single Largest Completed Contract (SSLCC), proof, or any documentary evidence that the company owns an internet/online voting system that can be customized to meet Comelec requirements for the May 2025 polls.

We Are I.T. Philippines also failed to submit a complete statement of all ongoing contracts as well as a brochure, technical data sheet, or any equivalent document that may serve as proof of compliance with the Technical Specifications for Printer particularly on auto-volts switching.

In November 2023, the Comelec announced it would implement internet voting for overseas Filipinos in the 2025 polls to increase voter turnout and make it more convenient for overseas voters. —with Hana Bordey/NB/VBL, GMA Integrated News