Miru machines will cause chaotic 2025 polls -ex-solon

A former lawmaker on Friday alleged that using Miru Systems machines during the 2025 polls would lead to a chaotic election.

In a press release, former Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice said the Commission on Elections had violated the Automated Election Law and the Procurement Law.

Furthermore, Erice claimed Comelec abused its discretion in many instances to ensure the contract with the South Korean firm pushed through.

“For the past five elections, we have never even spent P6 billion per election. In this 'lutong Macau' (rigged) contract, it will cost almost  P18 billion to rent, not buy, the voting machines,'' the ex-representative added.

He also expressed concerns over the ''potential upheaval and danger'' of the new system. He emphasized that the Miru system's use in the 2025 elections violates Section 12 of Republic Act No. 9369,  dubbing the contract illegal.
 
“The system that will be used in the 2025 elections has never been used in any elections anywhere in the world. This means our elections will be used as a guinea pig in  2025,” Erice stated.

He also accused the poll body of rigging the bidding process to favor Miru Systems, raising questions about the integrity of the upcoming midterm elections.

The former solon vowed to release videos that will reveal ''red flags and shady dealings'' in the bidding process as he also called on Congress to investigate and address the issue.

In April, Erice asked the  Supreme Court to nullify and void the contract between the Comelec and Miru Systems for the 2025 elections.

In his 50-page petition for certiorari, Erice also asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction to stop the poll body from implementing En Banc Minute  Resolution No. 24-0114, which awarded the project to Miru.

Asked for his reaction to the former congressman's claims, Comelec Chairman Georgen Garcia sent GMA News Online a copy of his June 19 letter addressed to Erice.

In the letter, Garcia said the poll body stood firm in its position that any discussion about the legality or illegality of the contract should be presented before the courts since a petition was also pending before the Supreme Court.

Garcia told Erice that he commends his courage ''in going public given said pending petition.'' — DVM, GMA Integrated News