Changes

==Smartmatic==

==Smartmatic==

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, 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>

''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' wrote that "Smartmatic scrapped a simple corporate structure" of being based in Boca Raton "for a far more complex arrangement" of being located in multiple locations following the Sequoia incident.<ref name="WSJpe" /> Though Smartmatic has made differing statements saying that they were either American or Dutch based, the [[United States Department of State]] stated that its Venezuelan owners "remain hidden behind a web of holding companies in the Netherlands and Barbados".<ref name="MTus" /><ref name="BBCsmart" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'' states that "the role of the young Venezuelan engineers who founded Smartmatic has become less visible" and that its organization is "an elaborate web of offshore companies and foreign trusts",<ref name="NYTties" /> while [[BBC News]] states that though Smartmatic says the company was founded in the United States, "its roots are firmly anchored in (Venezuela)".<ref name="BBCsmart" /> Multiple sources simply state that Smartmatic is a Venezuelan company.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tiglao|first1=Rigoberto D.|title=US Caracas Embassy: 'Smartmatic is a riddle'|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/us-caracas-embassy-smartmatic-is-a-riddle/232249/|accessdate=|work=The Manila Times|date=1 December 2015}}<br />{{cite book|title=Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), One Year After Dubai Ports World: Congressional Hearing|date=7 February 2007|publisher=[[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States]]|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-1422320471|page=7<!--|accessdate=22 December 2016-->}}<br />{{cite news|last1=Uy|first1=Jocelyn R.|title=Smartmatic faces probe|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785566/smartmatic-faces-probe|accessdate=|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=14 May 2016}}<br />Belgian Region's Decision to Use New Voting Machines Reignites E-voting Debate|url=http://www.cio.com/article/2391971/e-voting/belgian-region-s-decision-to-use-new-voting-machines-reignites-e-voting-debate.html|magazine=CIO magazine|date=2012-09-24</ref> Smartmatic maintains that the holding companies in multiple countries are used for "[[Tax avoidance|tax efficiency]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-10-30/news/0610300235_1_electronic-voting-election-officials-electronic-voting|title=Election officials OK with probe|last1=McCormick|first1=John|date=30 October 2006|work=The Chicago Tribune|accessdate=|language=en}}</ref>

''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' wrote that "Smartmatic scrapped a simple corporate structure" of being based in Boca Raton "for a far more complex arrangement" of being located in multiple locations following the Sequoia incident. Though Smartmatic has made differing statements saying that they were either American or Dutch based, the [[United States Department of State]] stated that its Venezuelan owners "remain hidden behind a web of holding companies in the Netherlands and Barbados". ''[[The New York Times]]'' states that "the role of the young Venezuelan engineers who founded Smartmatic has become less visible" and that its organization is "an elaborate web of offshore companies and foreign trusts", while [[BBC News]] states that though Smartmatic says the company was founded in the United States, "its roots are firmly anchored in (Venezuela)". Multiple sources simply state that Smartmatic is a Venezuelan company.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Tiglao|first1=Rigoberto D.|title=US Caracas Embassy: 'Smartmatic is a riddle'|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/us-caracas-embassy-smartmatic-is-a-riddle/232249/|accessdate=|work=The Manila Times|date=1 December 2015}}<br />{{cite book|title=Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), One Year After Dubai Ports World: Congressional Hearing|date=7 February 2007|publisher=[[Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States]]|location=Washington, D.C.|isbn=978-1422320471|page=7<!--|accessdate=22 December 2016-->}}<br />{{cite news|last1=Uy|first1=Jocelyn R.|title=Smartmatic faces probe|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/785566/smartmatic-faces-probe|accessdate=|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=14 May 2016}}<br />Belgian Region's Decision to Use New Voting Machines Reignites E-voting Debate|url=http://www.cio.com/article/2391971/e-voting/belgian-region-s-decision-to-use-new-voting-machines-reignites-e-voting-debate.html|magazine=CIO magazine|date=2012-09-24</ref> Smartmatic maintains that the holding companies in multiple countries are used for "[[Tax avoidance|tax efficiency]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-10-30/news/0610300235_1_electronic-voting-election-officials-electronic-voting|title=Election officials OK with probe|last1=McCormick|first1=John|date=30 October 2006|work=The Chicago Tribune|accessdate=|language=en}}</ref>

====2016 Utah Republican caucus====

====2016 Utah Republican caucus====

Despite warnings from security experts,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lapowsky|first1=Issie|title=Utah's Online Caucus Gives Security Experts Heart Attacks|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/03/security-experts-arent-going-like-utahs-online-primary/|accessdate=|work=WIRED|date=21 March 2016}}</ref> Utah Republican Party officials billed the online voting system, for which the state paid $150,000. Multiple issues occurred with the system, with voters receiving error messages and even being blocked from voting. Smartmatic received thousands of calls from Utah voters surrounding issues with the process. ''The Washington Post'' states that "the concern seems to be less with the technology and more with the security of the devices people use to vote".<ref name=":2">{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Amber|title=Utah Republicans are holding a first-ever online presidential primary. And it's not going so well.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/03/22/utah-republicans-are-holding-a-first-ever-online-primary-and-its-not-going-so-well/|accessdate=|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=22 March 2016}}</ref>  According to Joe Kiniry, the lead researcher of Galois, a technology research firm:<ref name="DOTsmart"/>{{quotebox|Several of us did a lightweight analysis of it remotely, to see how it was built and deployed and this sort of thing ... we found that they were using technologies that even modern Web programmers stay away from. ... It’s like the dumbest possible choices are being made by some of these companies with respect to deployed technology that should be mission-critical!}}

Despite warnings from security experts,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lapowsky|first1=Issie|title=Utah's Online Caucus Gives Security Experts Heart Attacks|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/03/security-experts-arent-going-like-utahs-online-primary/|accessdate=|work=WIRED|date=21 March 2016}}</ref> Utah Republican Party officials billed the online voting system, for which the state paid $150,000. Multiple issues occurred with the system, with voters receiving error messages and even being blocked from voting. Smartmatic received thousands of calls from Utah voters surrounding issues with the process. ''The Washington Post'' states that "the concern seems to be less with the technology and more with the security of the devices people use to vote".<ref name=":2">{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Amber|title=Utah Republicans are holding a first-ever online presidential primary. And it's not going so well.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/03/22/utah-republicans-are-holding-a-first-ever-online-primary-and-its-not-going-so-well/|accessdate=|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=22 March 2016}}</ref>  According to Joe Kiniry, the lead researcher of Galois, a technology research firm:<ref name="DOTsmart"/>{{quotebox|Several of us did a lightweight analysis of it remotely, to see how it was built and deployed and this sort of thing ... we found that they were using technologies that even modern Web programmers stay away from. ... It’s like the dumbest possible choices are being made by some of these companies with respect to deployed technology that should be mission-critical!}}

====Philippines====

====Philippines====

Smartmatic has been criticized by various entities for its motives and handling of elections in the Philippines.<ref name="NEVERagain"/><ref name="IBONsmart">{{cite web|title=Automated Polls: Privatized elections, foreign-controlled democracy (Part 2)|url=http://ibon.org/2016/05/automated-polls-privatized-elections-foreign-controlled-democracy/|website=[[IBON Foundation]]|accessdate=}}</ref> In opinion polls, voters have approved of Smartmatic's automated system used by Comelec, with 84% of respondents stating that they had "big trust" in the automated process according to a June 2019 Pulse Asia Research poll.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/237275-filipinos-trust-results-elections-2019-pulse-asia-survey|title=Most Filipinos express 'big trust' in results of 2019 elections – Pulse Asia|last=Tomacruz|first=Sofia|website=[[Rappler]]|language=en|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref>

Smartmatic has been criticized by various entities for its motives and handling of elections in the Philippines.<ref name="IBONsmart">{{cite web|title=Automated Polls: Privatized elections, foreign-controlled democracy (Part 2)|url=http://ibon.org/2016/05/automated-polls-privatized-elections-foreign-controlled-democracy/|website=[[IBON Foundation]]|accessdate=}}</ref> In opinion polls, voters have approved of Smartmatic's automated system used by Comelec, with 84% of respondents stating that they had "big trust" in the automated process according to a June 2019 Pulse Asia Research poll.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections/2019/237275-filipinos-trust-results-elections-2019-pulse-asia-survey|title=Most Filipinos express 'big trust' in results of 2019 elections – Pulse Asia|last=Tomacruz|first=Sofia|website=[[Rappler]]|language=en|access-date=2019-08-30}}</ref>

''The Manila Times'' has stated that Smartmatic's system was unreliable, glitchy and vulnerable to tampering.<ref name="NEVERagain"/> After the newspaper reported that Smartmatic had been funneling voter information through "unofficial servers",<ref name="SMARTservers">{{cite news|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/smartmatic-admits-using-unofficial-servers/275442/|title=Smartmatic admits using unofficial servers|last1=Pilapil|first1=Jaime|date=22 July 2016|work=The Manila Times|accessdate=}}</ref> ''The Manila Times'' ultimately called on officials from the country's electoral body, Comelec, to resign.<ref name="SMARTresign">{{cite news|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/defying-supreme-court-comelec-resign-en-banc/291628/|title=Defying the Supreme Court, the Comelec should resign en banc - The Manila Times Online|date=16 October 2016|work=The Manila Times|accessdate=}}</ref> William Yu of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, an election NGO, stated that such servers perform "many other activities before the elections" and that it "does not necessarily, automatically mean that data has been transmitted", though he requested that Comelec and Smartmatic provide an explanation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/197596-irregularities-2016-election-server-logs-not-necessarily-expert|title='Irregularities' in 2016 election server logs? Not necessarily, says I.T. expert|last=Bueza|first=Michael|website=[[Rappler]]|language=en|access-date=}}</ref>

''The Manila Times'' has stated that Smartmatic's system was unreliable, glitchy and vulnerable to tampering. After the newspaper reported that Smartmatic had been funneling voter information through "unofficial servers",<ref name="SMARTservers">{{cite news|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/smartmatic-admits-using-unofficial-servers/275442/|title=Smartmatic admits using unofficial servers|last1=Pilapil|first1=Jaime|date=22 July 2016|work=The Manila Times|accessdate=}}</ref> ''The Manila Times'' ultimately called on officials from the country's electoral body, Comelec, to resign.<ref name="SMARTresign">{{cite news|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/defying-supreme-court-comelec-resign-en-banc/291628/|title=Defying the Supreme Court, the Comelec should resign en banc - The Manila Times Online|date=16 October 2016|work=The Manila Times|accessdate=}}</ref> William Yu of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, an election NGO, stated that such servers perform "many other activities before the elections" and that it "does not necessarily, automatically mean that data has been transmitted", though he requested that Comelec and Smartmatic provide an explanation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rappler.com/nation/197596-irregularities-2016-election-server-logs-not-necessarily-expert|title='Irregularities' in 2016 election server logs? Not necessarily, says I.T. expert|last=Bueza|first=Michael|website=[[Rappler]]|language=en|access-date=}}</ref>

In early 2017, ''The Manila Times'' reported that Smartmatic machines were equipped with [[SD card]]s where voter entries are recorded, citing Glenn Chong, a former congressman of the NGO Tanggulang Demokrasya (TANDEM) stating that "at least one SD card was tampered with", allegedly showing that Smartmatic's system was "very much open to hijacking or sabotage".<ref name="MTsd">{{cite news|title=Filipino people helpless against untrustworthiness of Comelec - The Manila Times Online|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/filipino-people-helpless-untrustworthiness-comelec/307702/|accessdate=|work=The Manila Times|date=19 January 2017}}</ref> A reviewer of the Philippine Linux Users’ Group stated that hacking into Smartmatic's system is "very difficult for outsiders" and that "it’s not as difficult to hack into the system if you’re a Comelec or a group of Comelec or Smartmatic personnel", expressing importance of monitoring by Comelec and asking the public to have good faith in the electoral body.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/04/16/information-technology-expert-says-aes-difficult-to-hack|title=Information technology expert says AES difficult to hack|website=Manila Bulletin News|language=en-US|access-date=}}</ref>

In early 2017, ''The Manila Times'' reported that Smartmatic machines were equipped with [[SD card]]s where voter entries are recorded, citing Glenn Chong, a former congressman of the NGO Tanggulang Demokrasya (TANDEM) stating that "at least one SD card was tampered with", allegedly showing that Smartmatic's system was "very much open to hijacking or sabotage".<ref name="MTsd">{{cite news|title=Filipino people helpless against untrustworthiness of Comelec - The Manila Times Online|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/filipino-people-helpless-untrustworthiness-comelec/307702/|accessdate=|work=The Manila Times|date=19 January 2017}}</ref> A reviewer of the Philippine Linux Users’ Group stated that hacking into Smartmatic's system is "very difficult for outsiders" and that "it’s not as difficult to hack into the system if you’re a Comelec or a group of Comelec or Smartmatic personnel", expressing the importance of monitoring by Comelec and asking the public to have good faith in the electoral body.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/04/16/information-technology-expert-says-aes-difficult-to-hack|title=Information technology expert says AES difficult to hack|website=Manila Bulletin News|language=en-US|access-date=}}</ref>

The IBON Foundation, a non-profit research organization based in the Philippines also criticized Smartmatic's system, stating in 2016 that "Why Smartmatic keeps on winning Comelec contracts boggles the mind especially considering the numerous and major malfunctions by the machines and services that Smartmatic provided in the past two elections" and that there were "allegations of rigged bidding to favor Smartmatic such as designing contracts where only Smartmatic can qualify or omitting requirements that will otherwise disqualify Smartmatic".<ref name="IBONsmart" />

The IBON Foundation, a non-profit research organization based in the Philippines also criticized Smartmatic's system, stating in 2016 that "Why Smartmatic keeps on winning Comelec contracts boggles the mind especially considering the numerous and major malfunctions by the machines and services that Smartmatic provided in the past two elections" and that there were "allegations of rigged bidding to favor Smartmatic such as designing contracts where only Smartmatic can qualify or omitting requirements that will otherwise disqualify Smartmatic".<ref name="IBONsmart" />

=====2010 elections=====

=====2010 elections=====

Prior to the elections, Filipino-Americans called on [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] to investigate the background of Smartmatic prior to the elections due to its links to the Venezuelan government. Smartmatic described these actions as "trying to rehash a story based on market share".<ref name="PDIobama">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer/20100509/283141424974812|title=Obama asked: Investigate Smartmatic|date=9 May 2010|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|accessdate=|quote=Smartmatic has disclosed, he said, that its owners are families in Venezuela}}</ref> Following allegations of fraud, some employees of Smartmatic had their passports temporarily held.<ref name="ABSsons">{{cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/20/10/teddy-boy-blows-top-smartmatic-official|title='Teddy Boy' blows top at Smartmatic official|date=20 May 2010|work=ABS-CBN News|accessdate=}}</ref> At a fraud inquiry on May 20, 2010, Heider Garcia of Smartmatic was questioned on the transparency and what he called "unforeseen" occurrences during the election process, with Philippine official Teodoro Locsin Jr. – an automated poll advocate – sharply rebuking Garcia.<ref name="ABSsons" /> On June 29, 2010, the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) filed a complaint with the country's Ombudsman against 17 officials of the Commission on Elections and the Smartmatic-TIM Corp. for alleged “incompetence,” graft and unethical conduct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100721-282412/Graft-raps-filed-vs-Smartmatic-Comelec-execs|title=Inquirer.Net: Graft raps filed vs Smartmatic, Comelec execs|publisher=|accessdate=}}</ref>

Prior to the elections, Filipino-Americans called on [[President of the United States|President]] [[Barack Obama]] to investigate the background of Smartmatic prior to the elections due to its links to the Venezuelan government. Smartmatic described these actions as "trying to rehash a story based on market share".<ref name="PDIobama">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressreader.com/philippines/philippine-daily-inquirer/20100509/283141424974812|title=Obama asked: Investigate Smartmatic|date=9 May 2010|work=Philippine Daily Inquirer|accessdate=|quote=Smartmatic has disclosed, he said, that its owners are families in Venezuela}}</ref> Following allegations of fraud, some employees of Smartmatic had their passports temporarily held.<ref name="ABSsons">{{cite news|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/05/20/10/teddy-boy-blows-top-smartmatic-official|title='Teddy Boy' blows top at Smartmatic official|date=20 May 2010|work=ABS-CBN News|accessdate=}}</ref> At a fraud inquiry on May 20, 2010, Heider Garcia of Smartmatic was questioned on the transparency and what he called "unforeseen" occurrences during the election process, with Philippine official Teodoro Locsin Jr. – an automated poll advocate – sharply rebuking Garcia. On June 29, 2010, the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) filed a complaint with the country's Ombudsman against 17 officials of the Commission on Elections and the Smartmatic-TIM Corp. for alleged “incompetence,” graft and unethical conduct.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20100721-282412/Graft-raps-filed-vs-Smartmatic-Comelec-execs|title=Inquirer.Net: Graft raps filed vs Smartmatic, Comelec execs|publisher=|accessdate=}}</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". 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".

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>