Jamming the May 10, 2010 elections

The United States just appointed a new envoy in place of Kristie Kenney. The new envoy says that the US government hopes for a clean and honest elections come May 10. It seems though that as days past, it is becoming extremely clear that this is becoming more unlikely. 

First, the Comelec is supposed to print the final ballots. Yesterday, the poll body says it could not because it needs to change the layout. Meaning, delay.

Second, the Comelec is supposed to conduct teachers' election seminars throughout the country and basing on their schedule, they would have at least completed 30% of the areas. Until now, they were not able to even cover 10%. Meaning, another delay.

Third, tranmission problems seems to plague these optical counting machines. They conducted one in Taguig and it took a while before the machine was able to transmit the results.

Meaning, another tragic delay.

And lastly, these cellphone jammers. 

Cellphone jammers are supposed to jam the transmission of GSM-based machines. Jammers can be as big as 3 feet and as small as a car key. And they can be bought for either 4 to 5,000 pesos.

Smartmatic-TIM says there's nothing to worry about since they have anti-jamming devices in place. The question is---how many? 

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) admitted that these jammers can surely affect these machines. If these machines are within 3 to 10 meters away, they can affect the transmission of signals.

These jammers can actually CHANGE the configuration of these machines, or alter the results of the transmissions.

Apologists of SMARTMATIC-TIM and COMELEC tried to ally fears from the public by saying that jammers should actually be within striking distance.


We all know that these jammers can actually be put under tables, right?