Changes

Smartmatic was officially incorporated on 11 April 11. 2000 in [[Delaware]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Division of Corporations - Filing - SMARTMATIC CORPORATION|url=https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx|website=State of Delaware - Division of Corporations|publisher=State of Delaware|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Foreign Profit - SMARTMATIC CORPORATION|url=http://www.urru.org/papers/anexo1.2.jpg|publisher=State of Delaware|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/business/a-crucial-vote-for-venezuela-and-a-company.html?_r=1 "A Crucial Vote for Venezuela and a Company"] ''New York Times''. Retrieved 2017-01-19.</ref>  After receiving funds from private investors,<ref name="KNIGHTsmart" /> the company then began to expand.  Smartmatic was the main technology supplier for fourteen Venezuelan national elections. In March 2018, Smartmatic ceased operations in Venezuela.<ref name=":11">{{cite news|title=Smartmatic Announces Cease of Operations in Venezuela|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180306005537/en/Smartmatic-Announces-Cease-Operations-Venezuela|accessdate=|work=Business Wire|date=6 March 2018|language=en}}</ref>

Smartmatic was officially incorporated on 11 April 11. 2000 in [[Delaware]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Division of Corporations - Filing - SMARTMATIC CORPORATION|url=https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx|website=State of Delaware - Division of Corporations|publisher=State of Delaware|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Foreign Profit - SMARTMATIC CORPORATION|url=http://www.urru.org/papers/anexo1.2.jpg|publisher=State of Delaware|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/20/business/a-crucial-vote-for-venezuela-and-a-company.html?_r=1 "A Crucial Vote for Venezuela and a Company"] ''New York Times''. Retrieved 2017-01-19.</ref>  After receiving funds from private investors,<ref name="KNIGHTsmart" /> the company then began to expand.  Smartmatic was the main technology supplier for fourteen Venezuelan national elections. In March 2018, Smartmatic ceased operations in Venezuela.<ref name=":11">{{cite news|title=Smartmatic Announces Cease of Operations in Venezuela|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180306005537/en/Smartmatic-Announces-Cease-Operations-Venezuela|accessdate=|work=Business Wire|date=6 March 2018|language=en}}</ref>

Smartmatic acquired Sequoia Voting Systems in 2005.<ref name="WPbizz">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001224.html|title=Voting Machine Firm Denies Chavez Ties|last1=Goldfarb|first1=Zachary A.|date=31 October 2006|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=|quote=Bizta, a start-up technology company in Venezuela with some of the same owners as Smartmatic}}</ref><ref>''Business Wire'', 9 March 2005, [http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050308006237&newsLang=en Sequoia Voting Systems and Smartmatic Combine to Form Global Leader in Electronic Voting Solutions]</ref><ref name="CRONsmart">{{cite news|url=http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2009/472673.html|title=Smartmatic es una empresa de "comercio riesgoso" y... defraudadora|last1=Cedillo Cano|first1=Alejandro|date=1 December 2009|work=[[La Crónica de Hoy]]|accessdate=|language=es-MX}}</ref> Following this acquisition, Rep. [[Carolyn Maloney]] requested an investigation to determine whether the [[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States|Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)]] had followed correct processes to green-light sale of Sequoia to Smartmatic, which was described as having "possible ties to the Venezuelan government".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1095&Itemid=61|title=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|website=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|accessdate=2 January 2018}}</ref> The request was made after a March 2006 following issues in [[Chicago]] and Cook County, where a percentage of the machines involved were manufactured by Sequoia, and Sequoia provided technical assistance, some by a number of Venezuelan nationals flown in for the event.<ref name="abclocal">ABC Local, 7 April 2006, [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=4065162 Alderman: Election Day troubles could be part of 'international conspiracy']</ref>  

Smartmatic acquired Sequoia Voting Systems in 2005.<ref name="WPbizz">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/30/AR2006103001224.html|title=Voting Machine Firm Denies Chavez Ties|last1=Goldfarb|first1=Zachary A.|date=31 October 2006|work=[[The Washington Post]]|accessdate=|quote=Bizta, a start-up technology company in Venezuela with some of the same owners as Smartmatic}}</ref><ref>''Business Wire'', 9 March 2005, [http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050308006237&newsLang=en Sequoia Voting Systems and Smartmatic Combine to Form Global Leader in Electronic Voting Solutions]</ref><ref name="CRONsmart">{{cite news|url=http://www.cronica.com.mx/notas/2009/472673.html|title=Smartmatic es una empresa de "comercio riesgoso" y... defraudadora|last1=Cedillo Cano|first1=Alejandro|date=1 December 2009|work=La Crónica de Hoy|accessdate=|language=es-MX}}</ref> Following this acquisition, Rep. [[Carolyn Maloney]] requested an investigation to determine whether the [[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States|Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)]] had followed correct processes to green-light sale of Sequoia to Smartmatic, which was described as having "possible ties to the Venezuelan government".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1095&Itemid=61|title=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|website=Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney|accessdate=2 January 2018}}</ref> The request was made after a March 2006 following issues in [[Chicago]] and Cook County, where a percentage of the machines involved were manufactured by Sequoia, and Sequoia provided technical assistance, some by a number of Venezuelan nationals flown in for the event.<ref name="abclocal">ABC Local, 7 April 2006, [http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=4065162 Alderman: Election Day troubles could be part of 'international conspiracy']</ref>  

Following the request, Smartmatic and Sequoia submitted a request to be reviewed by the CFIUS while also denying links to the Venezuelan government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsmax.com/pre-2008/voting-machine-firm-denies-hugo/2006/10/30/id/684637/|title=Voting-Machine Firm Denies Hugo Chavez Ties|date=2006-10-30|website=[[Newsmax]]|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> The company disclosed that it was owned by Antonio Mugica (78.8%), Alfredo Anzola (3.87%), Roger Pinate (8.47%), Jorge Massa Dustou (5.97%) and employees (2.89%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtech.com/security/Voting-Machine-Company-Vows-No-Connection.html|title=Voting Machine Company Vows No Connection to Venezuelan President Chavez|website=www.govtech.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> Smartmatic subsequently sold Sequoia and later withdrew from Cook County in December 2006.<ref name="WSJpe">{{cite news|title=Politics & Economics: Smartmatic to Shed U.S. Unit, End Probe Into Venezuelan Links|last1=Davis|first1=Bob|date=22 December 2006|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]]|ref=Page A6}}</ref>

Following the request, Smartmatic and Sequoia submitted a request to be reviewed by the CFIUS while also denying links to the Venezuelan government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsmax.com/pre-2008/voting-machine-firm-denies-hugo/2006/10/30/id/684637/|title=Voting-Machine Firm Denies Hugo Chavez Ties|date=2006-10-30|website=[[Newsmax]]|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> The company disclosed that it was owned by Antonio Mugica (78.8%), Alfredo Anzola (3.87%), Roger Pinate (8.47%), Jorge Massa Dustou (5.97%) and employees (2.89%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.govtech.com/security/Voting-Machine-Company-Vows-No-Connection.html|title=Voting Machine Company Vows No Connection to Venezuelan President Chavez|website=www.govtech.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref> Smartmatic subsequently sold Sequoia and later withdrew from Cook County in December 2006.<ref name="WSJpe">{{cite news|title=Politics & Economics: Smartmatic to Shed U.S. Unit, End Probe Into Venezuelan Links|last1=Davis|first1=Bob|date=22 December 2006|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]]|ref=Page A6}}</ref>

==== 2016 elections ====

==== 2016 elections ====

Days after the May 2016 elections, Bongbong Marcos alleged that Smartmatic had tampered with the votes which cost him being elected Vice President of the Philippines and criminal proceedings were filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against Comelec personnel as well as Smartmatic employees, with Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon stating that Smartmatic had violated protocols.<ref name="INQUIREphil">{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785566/smartmatic-faces-probe|title=Smartmatic faces probe|last1=Uy|first1=Jocelyn R.|date=14 May 2016|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|accessdate=}}</ref> After a Smartmatic employee fled the country, Bongbong Marcos accused the Comelec for his "escape", though two other Smartmatic personnel, one from Venezuela and the other from Israel, were present for criminal proceedings.<ref name="BONGsmart">{{cite news|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/comelec-hit-for-escape-of-smartmatic-engineer/268793/|title=Comelec hit for escape of Smartmatic engineer - The Manila Times Online|date=19 June 2016|work=[[The Manila Times]]|accessdate=}}</ref> In July 2016, it was reported that Smartmatic funneled votes through "unofficial servers".<ref name="SMARTservers" /> In an October 2016 editorial, ''The Manila Times'' called on all members of Comelec to resign due to the "innumerable controversies since its adoption of the Smartmatic-based Automated Election System".<ref name="SMARTresign" />

Days after the May 2016 elections, Bongbong Marcos alleged that Smartmatic had tampered with the votes which cost him being elected Vice President of the Philippines and criminal proceedings were filed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against Comelec personnel as well as Smartmatic employees, with Election Commissioner Rowena Guanzon stating that Smartmatic had violated protocols.<ref name="INQUIREphil">{{cite news|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785566/smartmatic-faces-probe|title=Smartmatic faces probe|last1=Uy|first1=Jocelyn R.|date=14 May 2016|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|accessdate=}}</ref> After a Smartmatic employee fled the country, Bongbong Marcos accused the Comelec for his "escape", though two other Smartmatic personnel, one from Venezuela and the other from Israel, were present for criminal proceedings.<ref name="BONGsmart">{{cite news|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/comelec-hit-for-escape-of-smartmatic-engineer/268793/|title=Comelec hit for escape of Smartmatic engineer - The Manila Times Online|date=19 June 2016|work=The Manila Times|accessdate=}}</ref> In July 2016, it was reported that Smartmatic funneled votes through "unofficial servers".<ref name="SMARTservers" /> In an October 2016 editorial, ''The Manila Times'' called on all members of Comelec to resign due to the "innumerable controversies since its adoption of the Smartmatic-based Automated Election System".<ref name="SMARTresign" />

On June 7, 2017, the Philippine Department of Justice indicted "several Smartmatic and Comelec personnel for changing the script in the election transparency server on election night during the May 2016 national and local polls". Those charged with the tampering include Marlon Garcia, the head of the Smartmatic's Technical Support Team, as well as two other Smartmatic employees, Neil Baniqued and Mauricio Herrera, and Comelec IT employees Rouie Peñalba, Nelson Herrera, and Frances Mae Gonzales. The six were charged with "illegal access, data interference, and system interference" under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.<ref name="ABScbnIND">{{cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/07/17/smartmatic-comelec-personnel-ordered-indicted-for-halalan-2016-script-alteration|title=Smartmatic, Comelec personnel ordered indicted for Halalan 2016 script alteration|last1=News|first1=Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN|date=7 June 2017|work=[[ABS-CBN Corporation]]|accessdate=}}</ref>

On June 7, 2017, the Philippine Department of Justice indicted "several Smartmatic and Comelec personnel for changing the script in the election transparency server on election night during the May 2016 national and local polls". Those charged with the tampering include Marlon Garcia, the head of the Smartmatic's Technical Support Team, as well as two other Smartmatic employees, Neil Baniqued and Mauricio Herrera, and Comelec IT employees Rouie Peñalba, Nelson Herrera, and Frances Mae Gonzales. The six were charged with "illegal access, data interference, and system interference" under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.<ref name="ABScbnIND">{{cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/07/17/smartmatic-comelec-personnel-ordered-indicted-for-halalan-2016-script-alteration|title=Smartmatic, Comelec personnel ordered indicted for Halalan 2016 script alteration|last1=News|first1=Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN|date=7 June 2017|work=ABS-CBN Corporation|accessdate=}}</ref>

In August 2017, it was revealed that Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista was allegedly paid commissions by Divina Law while serving as chairman "for assisting the law firm clients with the Comelec". Divina Law, a firm that provides legal advice to Smartmatic. Bautista admitted that he obtained "referral fees", but denied that it was due to his position in Comelec. According to House Deputy Minority Leader Harry Roque, the incident is "a very clear case of bribery" by Smartmatic.<ref name="CNNdivina">{{cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/08/08/Comelec-Andy-Bautista-Smartmatic-unexplained-wealth.html|title=Solon: Bautista's 'receipt of fee for Smartmatic referral' casts doubt on 2016 polls|date=9 August 2017|work=[[CNN]]|accessdate=|language=en}}</ref>

In August 2017, it was revealed that Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista was allegedly paid commissions by Divina Law while serving as chairman "for assisting the law firm clients with the Comelec". Divina Law, a firm that provides legal advice to Smartmatic. Bautista admitted that he obtained "referral fees", but denied that it was due to his position in Comelec. According to House Deputy Minority Leader Harry Roque, the incident is "a very clear case of bribery" by Smartmatic.<ref name="CNNdivina">{{cite news|url=http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/08/08/Comelec-Andy-Bautista-Smartmatic-unexplained-wealth.html|title=Solon: Bautista's 'receipt of fee for Smartmatic referral' casts doubt on 2016 polls|date=9 August 2017|work=[[CNN]]|accessdate=|language=en}}</ref>