News
Comelec deposits 2022 polls’ source codes to BSP
![](https://canadianinquirer.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/272883053_305200244979148_3394908946170062243_n-1024x680.jpg)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday deposited the source codes of the automated election system (AES) for the May polls to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
During the ceremony, Comelec executive director Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. and law department’s Director III John Rex Laudiangco turned over the two security boxes containing the source codes to the central bank’s representatives.
The source codes shall be kept in escrow with the BSP as mandated under Republic Act 9369 or the Automated Election Law.
In a press briefing after the turnover ceremony, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the event is the major part of protecting the integrity of the elections, which is currently being questioned amid a feud between two top officials of the poll body.
“The Comelec is very much aware of the current concerns about the credibility and integrity of the elections. That is why we are happy that we are here at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas because this is a very key element in protecting the integrity of the elections. Depositing the source codes in escrow here, you’ll see that the source code is really the heart and soul of the AES,” he said.
Jimenez added that the move guarantees that the source codes that will be used on election day are trustworthy.
Meanwhile, BSP managing director Rosabel Guerrero noted that only the poll body can access the compartment inside the vault where the boxes are kept.
“It would be the executive director who has that key and the combination lock which is also under the sole responsibility of the Comelec so the BSP cannot have access to that. We don’t know that combination,” she said.