The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced today that Smartmatic-Sahi Technology Inc., one of the technology providers for the automated elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), has set up a National Support Center (NSC) in Manila to serve as technical support hub for the field support technicians deployed in various voting centers in Maguindanao and canvassing centers in the rest of the provinces in ARMM.

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez said the National Support Center will act as an information repository and a help desk support for the field support technicians deployed in ARMM for Monday’s polls.

“The NSC is similar to a Call Center that handles inbound and outbound calls but it also serves as a knowledge base center where operators upload all acquired information into the Election Day Management Platform (EDMP) which can help in developing quick response actions,” Jimenez said.

NSC Head Angelo Adlawan says through the NSC, they will be able to track the processes being undertaken in each precinct, voting or canvassing center. “We have installed dedicated phone lines to allow the field support technicians to provide quick updates in their designated areas,” he said.

Vince Dizon, Spokesman of Smartmatic-Sahi said that the NSC is vital to the overall operations because it makes its easier for the field support technicians to address technical problems in the field.

“We are confident that with the combined expertise of our field support technicians and the back up support of the NSC in Manila, we will have a smooth flow of operations in our precincts in Maguindanao and consolidation and canvassing centers in Shariff Kabunsuan, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi,” Dizon added.

“All our field support technicians and National Support Center operators have been trained and equipped with the necessary skills to handle various technical problems that may be encountered in the field,” Dizon said. ###