Manila: The United States and the European Union congratulated the Philippine government for the successful conduct of the country's first automated national elections.
"While there are always lessons to be learnt, our overwhelming impression is that the Philippines has much to be proud of today," said a US embassy statement.
"[Filipino] citizens served their nation by volunteering at the polls, exercising their right to vote, and taking every step necessary to ensure all ballots were counted," the embassy added.
Meanwhile, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Alistair MacDonald said in a statement: "The elections of May 10, the high voter turnout and the admirable patience shown by the voters were an impressive proof of the resolve of the Philippine people to have their voice heard in both national and local politics."
Generally comfortable
"I had the privilege of observing the electoral process in both Cavite and Batangas and was impressed by the manner in which this first nationwide automated election was conducted. Voters seemed generally comfortable with this new system, turn-out was high, and the automation process seemed to work well, with relatively few technical hitches," he said.
"Despite the intense heat, the long lines, and the inevitable unfamiliarity of a new process, our observations suggested that this process was carried out smoothly, and the results transmitted rapidly, in the great majority of cases," MacDonald said.
