Smartmatic-TIM, the contractor for the May 10 automated elections in the Philippines, has started setting up satellite equipment in Negros Occidental for the rapid transmission of results. The first of six VSATs where set up at the provincial capitol in Bacolod.

Provincial coordinator John Cabalo said the provincial capitol's Social Hall will be used as the base for incoming election returns that will be transmitted by precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines. Cabalo also said a second VSAT will also be set up at the Bacolod office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). VSATs will also be placed in Sipalay, Cauayan, Hinobaan and Isabela towns where telecommunication services are weak, he added.

Cabalo said Smartmatic has conducted ocular inspections of sites throughout Negros Occidental where PCOS machines will bet set up. He said contingency plans have been set up for areas that have no electricity. There are 2,050 precincts in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, with one PCOS machine each.