Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – The Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) said no one can sneak through its intense closed-circuit television (CCTV) coverage, which will keep an eye on the canvassing of votes in the upcoming 2016 elections.
OSAA Chief Jose Balajadia briefed members of the media on Thursday (April 28) about the security measures the Senate has in place to protect the certificates of canvas (COCs) and election returns (ERs) that will be delivered to the Upper House.
Also read: How electronic vote transmission works
All around the Senate building, there are 32 CCTV cameras that are all high-definition (HD). The OSAA stressed security cameras will operate 24/7.
After the election proper, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) shall deliver the COCs and ERs to the Senate. These will remain in the Upper House’s safekeeping until the National Board of Canvassers convenes to officially count the votes for the presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Also read: Comelec tests transmission of election returns
From the moment vehicles containing the poll records enter the Senate’s gate, the CCTV cameras will already follow their way to the entrance of the building. They will be welcomed by OSAA officials and employees, accompanied by some K9 units.
After careful inspection of the election receipts and ballot boxes that are locked up in chains, these will be brought to a storage area at the Senate’s parking lot, where the documents will be separated based on regions.
The COCs and statement of votes will then be brought to the Recto Room at the 2nd floor of the Senate building.
It may not know the exact time the ballots will arrive, but the OSAA assured the public it is ready to receive the election documents anytime.
Three levels of security shall safeguard the process: the police and military will guard the vicinity outside the Senate, the military will escort election returns, and the Senate’s own security group shall monitor the situation inside the building.
The Senate also ensured it has a power generator, which will run three seconds after a brownout.
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