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5. The automation of elections in the Philippines, despite
the numerous organizational and technical issues it raised, had an

overall positive effect on public trust in the voting process, and
public confidence in the COMELEC. The adoption of an AES also
triggered institutional changes and improvements in the IEC. The

Philippine case shows that investment in election automation pays off,
with the AES introducing a more efficient voting system and heightened

process security/ safeguards, and triggering institutional changes and
arrangements that correspond to the requirements and demands of the
new system. It is important, however, as gleaned from the COMELEC’s

implementation experience, that the IEC:

a) Engage in administrative and organizational review and

restructuring (e.g. integrate system administrators and
project management teams in staff) and institutional change

management programs before AES implementation.

b) Make ample time (at least 2 years) for the necessary

comprehensive planning, operational programming, internal
technical skills development, and public promotion.

c) Ensure transparency by engaging NGO and CSO partners

in the monitoring of all stages of the implementation
process (i.e. procurement, budget planning and spending,

AES design and configuration of security features, technical
and logistical preparations, polling place management,

parallel counting, legal monitoring, and aid).

d) Put in place project and system monitoring and evaluation

(M&E) to facilitate interim and post-election assessments.