Lacson: Poll-rigging scams not new; here’s how to beat them

Lacson: Poll-rigging scams not new; here’s how to beat them

Scams by con artists claiming to rig the elections for a fee are not new – but the Commission on Elections may not be helpless against it, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson, who is running for President under Partido Reporma, said this after the Comelec warned candidates against falling for such scams.

But he noted that some shady developments in past automated elections may have created the impression of poll result manipulation.

“It is true that there are con artists claiming they can manipulate the election system for a fee. Past automated elections have created this impression,” he said in a statement.

He cited the so-called “Meet-me Room” that was put in place during the past two or three national elections “cast doubt on the integrity of the automated elections.”

The “Meet-me Room” had been tagged by some sectors as a venue where poll results could be tinkered with.

Lacson said such a scam can be neutralized by both candidates and the Comelec.

“While it goes without saying that candidates should not fall for this scam, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) should face the challenge through utmost transparency,” he said.

*********