MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has disqualified
election technology provider Smartmatic from participating in procurements for all
future polls, according to the poll body’s chairperson George Garcia.
In a statement, Garcia announced the poll body’s verdict on a petition filed in June
by the opposition coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to disqualify Smartmatic
— the only technology provider to exclusively supply machines for the country’s
electoral processes since the country adopted automated elections in 2010.
The petition alleged that Smartmatic had engaged in a bribery scheme involving the
former top election official in the Philippines, Andres Bautista, who was indicted by a
US federal grand jury in September for money laundering and conspiracy.
According to the indictment, Bautista received millions of dollars in kickbacks from
Smartmatic in exchange for awarding contracts to the company and ensuring
favorable treatment in the bidding process.

The indictment also claimed that Bautista used offshore accounts and shell
companies to conceal the illicit funds and evade taxes.
Garcia said that the COMELEC had found sufficient evidence to support the
allegations and that Smartmatic had violated the election laws and regulations of the
Philippines.
He added that the COMELEC would also file criminal charges against Smartmatic
and Bautista for corruption and electoral sabotage.
Smartmatic, a multinational company based in London, denied the accusations and
said that it would challenge the COMELEC’s decision in court.
It also claimed that its machines had delivered secure, accurate, and transparent
elections in the Philippines and other countries.
Smartmatic has been involved in several controversies and lawsuits over its election
technology in various parts of the world, including the United States, Venezuela,
Kenya, and Belgium.
The COMELEC’s decision to ban Smartmatic has raised concerns over the
readiness and reliability of the election system for the upcoming 2025 national and
local elections.
Garcia said that the COMELEC would look for alternative suppliers and technologies
to ensure that the elections would be conducted smoothly and credibly.