2008-08-13 23:48:04 -

- Smartmatic-SAHI (U.S.): Jonathan Freedman, 212-751-3326 jf@groupsjr.com or (ARMM): Vince Dizon, 63-918-945-6296 vincedizon@gmail.com or (VZ): Samira Saban, 58 424 6221741 ssaba@smartmatic.com In the wake of the first automated election in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Smartmatic-SAHI today announced that its voting solution, the Smartmatic Automated Election System (SAES), performed with complete reliability

and accuracy. During the election, the SAES machines transmitted accurately, rapidly and reliably, and after the polls closed, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) certified the results, which was accepted by the representatives of the different political parties.

"This was a first ever of its kind election in many ways for the ARMM, and the fact that we had record voter turnout, results were accepted by all parties, and it is all fully auditable, at Smartmatic-SAHI, we believe this could not have been possible without our trusted voting solution," said Antonio Mugica, Chief Executive Officer, Smartmatic.

In the closely monitored election, voters re-elected Zaldy Ampatuan as Governor of the province. Key electoral statistics include: -0- -- Voter turn out in Maguindanao 93.48% -- Overall Voter turn out 84% -- Precints in ARMM 510 -- Electronic Voting machines used: 2,558 -- Transmitted Voters: 1,528,839 -- Time to Cast Vote: Less than 30 seconds -- Electronic Voting Machine Support Technicians: 533

SAES -- SIMPLER + FASTER AUTOMATED VOTING SYSTEM

The voters in the province of Maguindanao used Smartmatic-SAHI's automated voting solution, which was able to reduce the time needed to cast and transmit votes. In particular, to streamline the process for citizens with limited literacy, photographs of the three gubernatorial candidates appeared on the screen, and voters merely had to touch the candidate of their choice to cast a ballot - allowing many to cast their vote in under 30 seconds.

To provide the highest level of security, the SAES system randomly stores and encrypts votes in seven different places, guaranteeing 100% security and auditability of the voting process. In addition, all Smartmatic-SAHI voting systems are equipped with a voter verified paper trail (VVPT) printed on security-enhanced paper as soon as each vote is cast.

To read the full release go to: www.smartmatic.com/english/pressroom

Record voter turnout and results accepted by all parties

Smartmatic-SAHI's voting solution delivers 100% accuracy,
reliability and auditability