Smartmatic-TIM Breakup Will Jeopardize 2010 Elections

Today is the deadline given by the Commission on Election to the winning bidder for the 2010 national elections to settle their differences. The consortium was having some problems with regards to who will have control of the majority of the operations.

According to some sources inside the consortium, it is not about the half billion pesos being asked allegedly by TIM owner Antunez but it is about management conflict. TIM wants to control the partnership.

This issue alarms some of the lawmakers since TIM has ties with the first family. There could be some manipulation on the result of the election even if it is computerized. The planned backing out of the TIM from the consortium was seen by some as a move to derail the computerization of the 2010 elections. That would mean we will go back to manual voting and counting which is prone to cheating. Others accused the administration of having a hand in this latest issue.

As of this moment, most of the news coming out from the media are still considered speculation since the consortium is not divulging the actual problem between the partners. We just hope that this will be settled and of course they are already obliged to fulfill their obligation as the winning bidder. Failure to provide the services under the bid would mean a breach of contract. They could face legal problems.

update:

Smartmatic and TIM met at the Comelec yesterday and they announced that the consortium will proceed with the automation of the next election.