International election monitor raises concerns over Philippine balloting

Manila: An international election monitor has raised concerns over the Philippines' first nationwide automated election and recommended early preparations in case of a system breakdown during the May 10 balloting.

The US-based National Democratic Institute said in a statement on Saturday that the Commission on Elections should make a major effort to boost public confidence in the new system which promises to speed up the counting of votes.

The group said the election commission has not yet furnished a contingency plan required by to political parties and candidates in case the automated system breaks down.

Filipinos will elect a president, vice president, 12 senators, congressmen among the 17,000 positions to be filled up in the polls.