Ma. Glenda Deloso personal blog site.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researchers wish to express their deepest gratitude and warmest appreciation to the following people, who, in any way have contributed and inspired the researchers to the overall success of the undertaking:


To Babelyn S. Carbonell SYSDES Instructress, for her guidance and support in the duration of the study.

Our warmest appreciation to our instructors since our first year in ACLC for serving as our mentor and for helping us brought the best of our aptitude.

To our school director Mr Bernado Jeffrey L. Morante.

To our friends, who have been unselfishly extending their efforts and understanding.

To our parents who have always been very understanding and supportive both financially and emotionally.

And above all, to the Almighty God, who never cease in loving us and for the continued guidance and protection.

The Researchers

A-TEAM

Rommuel Sam Mamuric

Ma. Glenda A. Deloso

Donalyn B. Ricaforte

Sugar B. Cutanda

Lorely Jane F. Solis

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1               PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

1.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………….     6

1.2 Theoretical Framework………………………………………………      8

1.3 Conceptual Framework………………………………………………      9

1.4 Statement of the Problem……………………………………………     10

1.5 Objective of the Study………………………………………………..     10

1.5.1 General Objective……………………………………………    10

1.5.2 Specific Objective…………………………………………..     11

1.6 Hypothesis……………..………………………………………………      11

1.7 Significance of the Study…………………………………………….      11

1.8 Scope and Limitations of the Study………………….……………       12

1.9 Definitions of Terms………………………………………………….      12

CHAPTER 2               REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

2.1 Foreign Literature…………………………………………………….      14

2.2 Local Literature………………………………………………………..     17

2.3 Foreign Studies……………………………………………………….      18

2.4 Local Studies………………………………………………………….       20

CHAPTER 3               METHODOLOGY AND SYSTEM/ SOFTWARE DESIGN

3.1 Methods of Research Used…………………………………………      22

3.2 Data Gathering Instruments Used…………………………………      23

3.3 Analytical Tools……………………………………………………….       24

3.4 Methods Used in Developing the System Software…………….      26

3.5 Methods Used for Product Evaluation…………………………….     26

CHAPTER 4 Presentation of Data Software Product,

Analysis and Interpretation

4.1 The Existing System………………………………………………….      27

4.2 The Prospective User/Beneficiaries……………………………….     27

4.3 The Need to Develop the Proposed System……………………..     28

4.4 Components of the Proposed System/Software………………..       28

4.5 System/Software Development…………………………………….      28

4.6 Hardware Specification………………………………………………      29

4.7 Implementation of the Proposed System/Software……………..      29

4.8 Evaluation of the Proposed System/Software Product…………     30

4.9 Technical and Operation Feasibility………………………………..     32

4.10 Survey Graph…………………………………………………………     33

CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary…………………………………………………………………    34

5.2 Recommendation………………………………………………………     35

5.3 Conclusion………………………………………………………………    36

APPENDIX A  ANALYTICAL TOOLS……………………………….

System Flowchart……………………………………………………

Data Flow Diagram………………………………………………….

APPENDIX B  SURVEY FORM………………………………………

APPENDIX C  BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………

APPENDIX D  LETTERS OF REQUEST……………………………

APPENDIX E  CURRICULUM VITAE………………………………..

 

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND


The chapter 1 begins with the brief discussion in introduction, theoretical and conceptual framework, statement of the problem, objectives of the study, hypothesis, and significance of the study, scope and limitations, and definition of terms.

Introduction

Here in the Philippines, people vote through traditional way: writing manually the names of their chosen candidates in an ordinary piece of paper. Given that technology is rapidly advancing, almost everything can be automated so as the election here in our country. Because of this, the researchers had come up of an idea to innovate the traditional way of manual voting by developing election software for this purpose.

We all know that in every country in the world, election is one of the important things for us to have a good leader and the leader who is responsible to take care of their constituent. Election is an electoral process on how we can choose a good leader.

Automation is a fast way of counting on votes, but was not sure if we are ready, or the computers are ready. But unlike in the old tradition way of voting Automation Election System is more advantageous to us because it will help us make our election accurate, easier, and faster. But it requires that all voters process certain degree of computer literacy. It’s to be expected that the current student community of ACLC Commonwealth is efficiently knowledgeable about the technology.


Automated election system define as a system using appropriate technology for voting, counting, consolidating, canvassing, transmission of election results and other processes in the conduct of electoral exercises. Automated voting (sometimes referred to as electronic or e-voting) technologies are increasingly used in elections across the world, particularly because they are often seen as symbolic of a country’s level of modernization. The possibilities for rapid aggregation and analysis of results, as well as potentially greater accuracy, have all added to the attractiveness of computer-based voting equipment. Today we are leaving in the world were in the so called modern world, meaning most of the people within this generation are using high-tech machines and equipments especially the computers.

Many questions and complains arise from this issue such as:

• How reliable can be the automated election system be?
• Some people said that anything that is being done through computerization would be easier to commit fraud.
• In the side of indigenous people it would be hard for them to vote if the election will be done automatically because some of them are illiterate.
• Advantages of the system in Student Council Automated & Networked Election Database System (SCANEDS).
• There is less work for the faculty staff.
• All the results can be produced within one hour after the close of voting.
• There is automated tally of votes through pie graph at school director’s office.
• Students can vote easier and faster.
• It provides efficient way for voting with less hassle.Increased speed and efficiency of electoral task and faster electoral results.

 

The success of this project thesis will be beneficial to all the students especially to the faculty staff who have been working real hard tallying the votes. The automation of election in ACLC Commonwealth Branch through Student Council Automated & Networked Election Database System (SCANEDS) recognition proved to be very competent and convenient.

Theoretical Framework


The theoretical framework of the study is a structure that can hold or support a theory of a research work. It presents the theory which explains why the problem under study exists. Thus, the theoretical framework is but a theory that serves as a basis for conducting research.

Ruben Canlas Jr received his MBA from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and MS Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon University. He is an IT and management consultant for various development agencies and government organizations. He said that much of the pain we encountered during the past elections are the long queues, voter confusion, claims of fraud — could have been avoided had we taken some care to design the new voting process with the voters in mind. We focused so much on the technology that we forgot the real users of the system, namely, Filipinos, majority of who, like us, had no practice with drawing small solid ovals using unwieldy marker pens. I’d like to expound on this proposition, so we could turn our electoral suffering into lessons for improving the next automated elections.

Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework of the proposed system is illustrated in a paradigm. A paradigm is a diagrammatic representation of a conceptual framework. It depicts in a more vivid way what the conceptual framework wants to convey.

 

The manifestation of conceptual framework shows how the proposed system will work to the existing system.


Input diagram, the student chooses SSC Party list and candidates, and then input their names and student number.

The process consists of the automatic counting of votes from the selection of SSC candidates.

Lastly, the output diagram shows the generated reports such as election reports and list of SSC Election winners.

 

Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to develop a source material in automated election system which can be used by ACLC Commonwealth Branch. The study aimed to determine if the proposed system for the SSC Council of AMA Computer Learning Center Commonwealth Branch is useful and secured.

The study was undertaken to answer the following question:

• Is the proposed system being more effective according to the following factors?
  

  FACTORS THAT MAKES THE PROPOSAL SUCCESSFUL

 

Objective of the Study

 

General objective:

This study aims to design and implement an automated election system using Student Council Automated & Networked Election Database System (SCANEDS). To make sure that the SSC election is organized.

 

Specific Objective:

1. To design a database that will serve as the source information of the automated election system in ACLC Commonwealth Branch.
2. To create program that will accurately tally the votes automatically.
3. To encourage students to vote for their chosen representatives.

 

Hypothesis

The proponents formulate a null hypothesis because the proposal is on the process of development. Testing a hypothesis simply means gathering data to answer it. Hypothesis is formulated from the specific questions upon which they are based:

• Is there any significant difference between the existing systems to proposed system?
• Is there any significant difference between the effectiveness of the previous proposed system to student council automated & networked election database system?

 

Significance of the Study

An election is a decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold formal office. Elections rely heavily on manual tallying and canvassing of votes thus making them vulnerable to control and manipulation. To ensure a credible and transparent electoral process, the modernization of the electoral system through computerization shall be supported to ensure the credibility of polls and correct the deficiencies in the electoral system. It is extremely fast, allowing obtaining final results in a matter of minutes. It has a very complete and user-friendly interface for system operators and as well as the voters. Furthermore, the challenge is to develop the student’s appreciation of their vote as a means to reform the administration and receive better services from it. This type of voting system encourages the student’s to promote suffrage.

The proposed system is limited to the ACLC students to vote in automated & networked election.

 

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research study only covers the utilization of Student Council Automated & Networked Election Database System (SCANEDS) to ACLC Commonwealth Branch as there are numerous studies on automated election. The outcome of this study is limited only to the data gathered from the faculty staff about the automated election system and from the primary data gathered from the result of the questionnaire survey and interviews that will be conducted by the researcher.

This study consists of 256 respondents in ACLC Commonwealth Branch. The proponents will conduct a survey to all students after they had voted their chosen representatives.

 

Definition of Terms

To clarify the meaning of some terms used in the study, the following conceptual definitions are hereby given:

Automated election system — a system using appropriate technology for voting and electronic devices to count votes and canvass/consolidate results.

Automation – the automatic operation or control of equipment, a process, or a system.

Computer literacy – defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently.

Computer set — a set of equipment containing regular components, i.e., monitor, central processing unit or CPU, keyboard and printer.

Computer system – a functional unit, consisting of one or more computers and associated software, which (a) uses common storage for all or part of a program and also for all or part of the data necessary for the execution of the program (b) executes user-writer or user-designated data manipulation, including arithmetic and logic operations.

Data – a collection of facts, figures, and statistics related to an object.

Database – a collection of related or similar records that are mostly used together.

Data security – the means of ensuring that data is kept safe from corruption and that access to it is suitably controlled.

Election – is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office.

Existing system – a system that is currently being used by the institution.

Input – the term denoting either an entrance or changes which are inserted into a system and which activate/modify a process.

Networking – the act of working using computer network or the act of connecting computers into network.

Output – the term denoting either an exit or changes which exit a system and which activate/modify a process.

Proposed system – a system designed by the researcher to enhance if not totally replace the existing system and is presumed to completely revolutionize the old system.

System – it is a set of related components that produces specific results.

System design – the process or art of defining the architecture, components, modules, interfaces, and data for a system to satisfy specified requirements.

User friendly – a system that is easy to learn and to use.

 

CHAPTER 2

Review of Related Literature and Studies

The Chapter 2 covers the local and foreign literature and studies that contains information facts, and data from people and researchers for the development of the system.

FOREIGN LITERATURE

According to Jean-Pierre Kingsley a Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, – (article from ELECTORAL INSIGHT). Elections Canada is continuing its analysis of the 2004 general election through surveys with various stakeholders. These will assist in refining their systems and procedures and in finalizing recommendations for improvements to the Canada Elections Act. It also contributed to the 2004 Canadian Election Study (CES), a major academic study that has been conducted for every Canadian general election since 1968.² Elections Canada has partnered with the CES since the 1997 general election. During the election, the issue of voter turnout received a great deal of attention from interested individuals, community organizations and the media. In particular, the participation of young voters was one of the most prominent issues of the campaign – although it did not become politicized. Elections Canada is continuing to focus on youth turnout.

Elections Canada plans, manages, and administers the federal electoral process well and in accordance with applicable authorities. Through good planning and regular updating of its geographic and voter information databases, Elections Canada stays prepared for an election that can be called at any time. It ensures that eligible voters can vote by helping them get their name on the lists of electors; by communicating how, when, and where to vote; and by providing flexible voting opportunities. It also provides considerable support to returning officers and their staff in delivering elections.

According to Peter G. Neumann in his article “Risks in Computerized Elections”, the errors and alleged fraud in computer based elections have been recurring Risks Forum themes. Punch-card systems are seriously flawed and easily tampered with, and still in widespread use. Computerized elections are being run or considered in many countries, including some notorious for past riggings; thus the risks discussed here exist worldwide. Computer-related errors occur with alarming frequency in elections. Last year there were reports of uncounted vote in Toronto and doubly counted votes in Virginia and in Durham, North Carolina. Even the U.S. Congress had difficulties when 435 representatives tallied 595 votes on a Strategic Defense Initiative measure. An election in Yonkers New York was reversed because of the presence of leftover test data that accumulated into the totals. After a series of mishaps, Toronto has abandoned computerized elections altogether. Most of these cases were attributed to human error and not computer error, and were presumably due to operators and not programmers; however, in the absence of defendable accountability, who can tell? If wrong results can occur accidentally, they can also happen intentionally.

According to Erik Nilsson in his article “Making Every Vote Count” In April 1994, they were able to help South Africa to prepare for its first multiracial elections. The enormous responsibility of their elections would rest with the Independent Electoral Commission, where they would work on computer systems. Erik Nilsson is a software jockey from the US, and a member of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR), Nilsson loaned to the South African Commission from the CPSR Computers and Elections project, which assists the US Federal Election commission with voting equipment standards, analyzes elections, and gives advice on election security.

The challenge would be daunting. The South African electorate, newly swelled with the enfranchisement of the huge black majority, was estimated at 25 million, but there was no census to show where they lived. Just directing voters and workers to polling places was difficult with addresses as makeshift as the facilities themselves. (One polling site was officially called “the tent behind Bob’s house.”) Ballot boxes, polling equipment, entire counting stations, and millions of ballots had to be deployed in a country that encompassed sprawling urban leviathans as well as outposts a day’s drive from a telephone. Worse, the elections had only been announced five months earlier. To keep track of these mammoth, frenzied, and changing circumstances, South Africa would need massive databases to follow people, places, and equipment. And massive databases to record protests, incidents of violence, and the election results themselves. Software was needed to manage these databases, enter new information, and produce reports. The task would have been impossible without computers, but even with the technology they could still only hope they’d bought enough time.

 

LOCAL LITERATURE

According to Alecks P. Pabico (a writer of the investigate Reporting Magazine), for the more important aspects of the electoral process from voter registration, voting, vote counting to canvassing – touches of modernity have been an elusive as replies with substance from candidates. Yet for the most part the problem stems not from a lack of available technological solutions. A comprehensive computerized voting system encompassed the three major phases of the elections; registration, voting and tabulation. Pilot tested in council elections in universities, it has proven to be an effective safe-guard against fraud and manipulation like dag-dag –bawas.

Six years ago, the idea of automated elections for student council posts in the University of the Philippines in Diliman was unimaginable, at least for me. It wasn’t necessarily because we couldn’t muster the technology and logistics, but there was simply neither a need nor a clamor for paperless voting. A lot of things have changed since then, and automated elections are no longer a thing of the past in UP Diliman. Now on its second year, and notwithstanding minor glitches in the system, electronic voting has proven to be a worthy improvement in one of the basic democratic processes in modern society. Alecks got to UP a little past 2 p.m. last February 24, the day of the student council election this year. As a registered graduate student, he had made sure to drop by the campus to cast votes, first time to participate in the automated system on a university-wide scale. There was already a long queue outside the designated voting center at the College of Arts and Letters. Some students were waiting for their names to be located on the list, while others were waiting for their turn at the computer terminals. There were no paper ballots or ballot boxes in sight.

In an article by Solita Collas-Monsod at Philippine Daily Inquirer entitled “Fraud in Computerized Elections”, Solita stated that, “while the outcome of the US presidential election was of great interest, it was a foregone conclusion. Solita wanted to observe the voting process, and saw what the Philippines could learn from it. There were stories which were evocative of the Philippine situation: disenfranchised voters, ghost voters (in the US case, they were fictitious names, not dead people voting). In a column last Nov. 03, Palast wrote that in 2004 Ohio was “stolen” (meaning, John Kerry have won over George W. Bush), while all over the United States, another 3 million votes were not counted because they were considered spoiled or unreadable, or were rejected or disqualified (mail-in-ballots). He also warned that the 2008 elections could be stolen in “battleground” states controlled by Republican secretaries of  state (who have authority over the voter rolls), using five easy steps: purging voters lists, eliminating new voters, requiring IDs, declaring ballots “spoiled,” and rejecting mail-in-ballots.

In the article by Renato Bautista Jr. at http://philippines.suite101.com dated July 23, 2009 “Computerized Elections in the Philippines: Understanding Philippine Elections and the Bid for Poll Automation”, he stated that notwithstanding the rapid advances in technology, the Philippines has until recently been living in the Stone Age when it comes to the conduct of elections. Elections in the Philippines have always been undertaken manually, where the counting of votes could take months before the winners are proclaimed. This is especially the case for elections involving national positions, which are prone to cheating and other electoral frauds. Proponents of poll automation hope to lessen, if not solve, these perennial problems.

 

FOREIGN STUDIES

According to “THE SECURITY OF REMOTE ONLINE VOTING – STUDENT COUNCIL ONLINE ELECTIONS” a thesis in TCC 402 by Daniel Rubin, there website at the University of Virginia is not secure, but its Internet basis makes it extremely accessible and convenient for the student body. They learn a lot about the usability and security of risks of remote online voting through there election website.

STUDENT COUNCIL ELECTION system consists of two basic parts – the website and the database. Their website breaks down into two sections – user side and administrator side. The web interfaces provides almost all of the functionality to cast ballots and administer elections. Their database primarily serves to manage the student information.

Students vote easily in one session through their STUDENTS COUNCIL’S VOTER REGISTRATION PAGE. It requires their EMAIL ID and the last four digits of their Social Security Number (SSN) – a very thin layer of security. Their website maintains a running tally of votes, making it easy for the election committee to determine which candidates win or lose. Their election database used a UNIX SYSTEM call MINISQL – (a historically-important lightweight database management system from Hughes Technologies. MINISQL originally supported several host languages like C, PHP, and etc.). Their database worked well throughout the elections. Its primary use was importing the full listing of University students and then modifying the correct candidate names and other student data. It easily ran INSERT and UPDATE queries to fix all information. Their election system was succeeds because it is convenient and easy to use or to vote.

In a research by Wilcox and Nilsson, there are several types of computer systems used in vote tallying. The most common is the punch card system, in which the voter punches holes in a ballot to indicate their choices which the computer system then reads. Other systems have the voter fill in boxes as on a standardized test, and some computer systems are used to tabulate the manual entries from various lever machines. Some machines even allow the citizen to enter their votes directly into the computer without a physical ballot. Problems can arise with these systems due to unreliable programs, programs which are difficult to use, a lack of administrative control, confusing ballots, and an overreliance on computer experts to operate and supervise the systems rather than election officials.

In a study conducted by Kimberling at UCLA, Elections in the United States have traditionally been protected by three safeguards built into the system: decentralization ensures that any mishaps in one precinct will have the little effect on the overall result; the active involvement of both political parties allows each to monitor the other; and the elections visibility to public scrutiny allows us all to observe the process. Their programming is done once, and then replicated. With the same systems, in use in many precincts, a small error could have enormous impact. Computer systems exclude party representatives from the process as well as election officials. Supervision of the election is entrusted to a technician and the computer itself. Likewise, the process is no longer visible to the public. All they see now is the computer doing something with the votes.

 

LOCAL STUDIES

According to “Biometrics Fingerprint Recognition in the Central Student Council Election at Polytechnic University of the Philippines Taguig Campus” they conducted an automated election on a smaller scale during the presidential election in Association of Electronics and Communications Engineering Students at PUP-Taguig to prove the possibility of the proposed project wherein a database system using biometric technology of fingerprint scanning in accessing the authentication of votes in making the election fast and at the same time, no more human errors. The equipments that will be used with this automated election system include the fingerprint scanner, monitors for the representation of the candidates during the election period and a computer set. During the registration period, all the necessary data will serve as an input for the database program which is, conversely, integrated to the fingerprint scanner. These data includes the name of the person, home address, contact details, their year level, student number and the scanned finger print. On the other hand, during the election period, the computer has a programmed database that can be accessed by using the scanned finger print which was saved during the registration period. By means of the entries saved beforehand, the voters can fully access their right to chose their candidates which will be shown on a monitor in which, automatically counted by the programmed database connected to the database system of the base computer set.

They find it really interesting and were very challenged on putting the technology in to the annual Central Student Council election to ensure a fraud less and unobtrusive election. But just on the smaller scale, they would like to implement it first in annual AECES election.

Automated Election System (AES) 2010 is a policy study of the University of the Philippines College of Law under the Dean’s Office with Fellows and Researchers of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG, as www.cenpeg.org), as well as volunteers. The policy study aims to probe into the viability of the AES which will use the Commission on Elections Precinct Count Optical Scan – Optical Mark Reader (PCOS-OMR) under a contract signed on July 10, 2009 with the consortium Smartmatic – Technology Information Management (TIM). Many election – related cases have triggered protests, lawsuits, and sometimes impeachments or calls for the removal of top officials. The modernization of the country’s election system became a law in 1997 and pursuit of full automation is provided in Republic Act (RA) 9369 of 2007. AES2010 policy study taps the expertise and commitment of a group of university-based scholars, lawyers, computer science and engineering academic, ICT practitioners, software engineers, security experts, and other researchers.  The study traverses vital features of the AES including hardware and software designs, source code, transmission systems as well as the Geographic Information System (GIS), election management, and legal issues.

 

CHAPTER 3

 

Methodology and System/ Software Design

In this Chapter the proponents discussed the different Methods of research used and the instruments in gathering the needed information in developing of the existing system. It also present the different analysis tools used in the analysis of the present system.

Methods of Research Used

It is defined as to reach a new understanding of a subject either by analyzing new facts and opinions as by re-evaluating known facts and opinions of by both methods. Our research includes information gathered from various sources .Research includes all specialized facts and data, where we gathered the information from documents , journals or a research in any field education. The methods of research used by the proponents are the following:

• Descriptive Research – it is characterized as survey or normative approach to the study of condition and essential guide to one’s thinking. This method is used to determine and classify the different process on the proposed system. Research survey indicates gathering of data. The proponents used these methods because the study requires getting directly to the people involve through series and survey to the beneficiaries of the proposed system.

• Creative Research – It employs the implicit and stylistic approach in an analysis of human experience. It operates toward the production of object though the speed which is also the objective of the study. This method is also appropriate to the study because to be to clear a better output, the research must observe and study the present situation and do some experiments to test if the proposal is feasible.

 

Data Gathering Instruments Used

In writing the thesis, different research tools are used in gathering information, from reaching and other sources that is appropriate for this research. The instruments give information for collection of data which are tested.

The proponents not only give a clear orderly report or information gathered from various sources but also use that information to say something not said in the sources.

These are the following instruments used:

• Interview – involves the collection of data through verbal interaction between the interviewer and respondent. Interview was done when need to quickly and easily shared a lots of information from people in a non-threating way. Though the information interview conducted by the researchers, they were able to gain information on how they could improve the existing system. The proponents interviewed Ms. Marites Fedillaga, Administration Officer of ACLC Commonwealth. To give us further background on how the existing system operates.

• Observation – the method was used to verify the gathered facts. The proponents were able to verify a review of the past records of the components. Observation is done to gather accurate information about how a program actually operates, particularly about the process. These enable the proponents to design and improve the function of the old process, so that there could be an efficient and effective output. The observation took place at ACLC Commonwealth Branch during the Student Council Election last July 12, 2010 and formulated conclusions through it.

• Research – the treatment of the various techniques in the design of computer-based system is required on this study. Starting from the various methods in data system gathering up to the accomplishment of its ultimate goal of a system design. This study will allow the researcher to apply the various tools and techniques in system development utilizing experience in IT related endeavors as a guideline.

 

Analytical Tools

This will help ordinary users understand the technicalities of the system proposal. It will give a graphical representation on how the system works and how the data is being passed from the user to the database.

• A data-flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the “flow” of data through an information system. DFDs can also be used for the visualization of data processing (structured design). On a DFD, data items flow from an external data source or an internal data store to an internal data store or an external data sink, via an internal process. A DFD provides no information about the timing of processes, or about whether processes will operate in sequence or in parallel. It is therefore quite different from a flowchart, which shows the flow of control through an algorithm, allowing a reader to determine what operations will be performed, in what order, and under what circumstances, but not what kinds of data will be input to and output from the system, nor where the data will come from and go to, nor where the data will be stored (all of which are shown on a DFD).

• The Input-Process-Output Model also known as the IPO+S Model is a functional model and conceptual schema of a general system. An IPO chart identifies a program’s inputs, its outputs, and the processing steps required to transform the inputs into the outputs.

The IPO model has many interdisciplinary applications, and is used to convey systems fundamentals in IT overview education and as a brainstorming, preliminary investigation tool in systems development processes such as the SDLC. It consists of at least three, and sometimes four, distinct components. In contemporary Information Technology, it is almost always discussed as a four component model in which the fourth is a named optional.

The components of the IPO model are defined as:

I: Input – The information, ideas, and resources used

P: Processing – Actions taken upon/using input or stored material

O: Output – Results of the processing that then exit the system

S: Storage – Location(s) where material inside the system is/are placed for possible use at a later time

• HIPO (hierarchical input process output) was used in representing the modules of a system as a hierarchy and for documenting each module. It was used to develop requirements, construct the design, and support implementation of an expert system to demonstrate automated rendezvous. Verification was then conducted systematically because of the method of design and implementation. The overall design of the system is documented using HIPO charts or structure charts. The structure chart is similar in appearance to an organizational chart, but has been modified to show additional detail. Structure charts can be used to display several types of information, but are used most commonly to diagram either data structures or code structures.

 

Methods Used in Developing the System Software

In developing the system, there are steps should follow to produce a useful and reliable system. The first step is the planning, planning includes preparation, and the proponents determine must the problem to produce a better solution. After analysing the problem and providing a solution for it, designing is the next step, in this stage computer programs were written. The last stage is implementation and evaluation of the system.

Methods Used for Product Evaluation

In every product there must be an evaluation for it, to prove that the system meets the user requirements:

• Portability – ability of a computer program to be ported from one system to another in computer science.
• User Friendliness – the ability of a computer system to be used easily and to be understood by the ordinary users.
• Speed – the ability of a system to perform a given task without or minimal delay.
• Accuracy – ability of the system to provide correct information to the user.
• Reliability – ability of a system to perform and maintain its functions in routine circumstances, as well as hostile or unexpected circumstances.
• Convenience – is the ability of the computer system to increases comfort or saves work to more work output.

 

Chapter 4

Presentation of Data Software Product, Analysis and Interpretation

This chapter scopes the presentation of findings and interpretation of the facts based on the analysis made.

The Existing System

In the previous years, the poll system at ACLC Commonwealth has used several methods in gathering the votes of the students during the Student Council election. Methods like manual counting using paper forms as a main component of the system. It has been used primarily for many years. The manual system is slow and laborious and is prone to election related fraud like “dagdag-bawas”. Another system that was proposed was done in Visual Basic 6.0 although it is automated in tallying the votes it is not networked, meaning the votes must canvassed per PC and that will caused same delay on broadcasting the final poll.

 

The Prospective User/Beneficiaries

The prospective users/beneficiaries are the students and Faculty Staff of ACLC Commonwealth Branch. The ACLC Commonwealth Student Council Automated and Networked Election Database System were proposed by the proponents to improve the Student Council Election. To make them realize the essence of having the Automated Election by avoid fraud and to promote accuracy, speed, reliability, portability, user-friendliness and convenience.

 

The Need to Develop the Proposed System

Due to the hectic scheduling of activities at ACLC Commonwealth there is a need to conserve time and effort for other activities to be implemented  and since Student Council Election is a school activity it must kept in mind that it consume a lot of time. One way of conserving time and effort is make the whole system automatic and accessible for all so that the election time will reduce to only one day. Another reason is avoid election related fraud brought by loosely implemented manual system.

 

Components of the Proposed System/Software

The general features of the proposed system are the following:

1. 1. Menu Driven –pertaining to software that makes extensive use of menus to enable users to choose alternatives and guide program operations.
2. 2. Help Facilities -inwhich offer the users to support in the learning process.

 

System/Software Development

This topic discussed the different characteristics of the proposed system for its development.

1. Specification/Planning–the proponents used the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor and My SQL to develop the system. PHPprocessed an interpreter application in command-line mode performing desired operating system operations and producing program output on its standard output channel. It may also function as a graphical application. My SQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases.

2. Design – this part presents the arrangements of forms that provide a complete and functioning system.

3. Programming – the proponents have worked out the sequence of operations to be performed by the system. It is where all the requirements and specifications of the program code will be defined.

4. Testing – to ensure the quality of the software. In this process the programmers will find some errors. Usually done when compiling and debugging. Debugging is the process of eliminating errors in a program or malfunctions in a system

 

Hardware Specification

The system needs this minimum hardware specification for accurate execution and storage. For the better performance of the software the following computer parts are required:

SERVER

1 GHz P4 Processor

128 RAM

4 GB HDD

WEB BROWSER

Latest Microsoft Update

CLIENT

3.0 GHz HT P4 Processor

512 RAM

20GB HDD

WEB BROWSER

Latest Microsoft Update

 

Implementation of the Proposed System/Software

The proposed system will be implemented after all testing are done. The system will be distributed on installation disk. The installation will be done automatically so that the user can start right away.

 

Evaluation of the Proposed System/Software Product

Based on the survey conducted by the researchers, the following charts show the statistics of its results contrasting the existing and the proposed system. The proponents surveyed all the ACLC Commonwealth students covered of the proposal.

To compute the percentage of the survey, the researchers used the percentage method.

% = raw score / number of respondents * 100

The proponents surveyed 150 students last July 12, 2010 after voting and using the proposed system. The results are evaluated according to the following criteria.

5 – Excellent              4 – Very Good           3 – Good        2 – Fair           1 – Poor

The results are as follows:

 

• In portability, it shows that 67% of the respondents agreed that the proposal is more portable than the existing system. Most of them find the system more portable because it can be accessed on-line.

• In user-friendliness, it shows that 62% of the respondents agreed that the proposal is much easier to use than the existing system. The system has graphical menus that can be understood easily and each student candidates has pictures so that the users can choose wisely.

• In speed, it shows that 72% of the respondents agreed that the proposal generates the results faster than the existing system. It proof was the generated election report which is real time.

• In accuracy, it shows that 64% of the respondents agreed that the proposal is more accurate than the existing system. Since the result is real time, the election administrators can track down the number of votes right away.

• In reliability, it shows that 56% of the respondents agreed that the proposal is more reliable than the existing system. The results can only be seen by the School Director and the Student Services Coordinator. Each of them has access codes so they are the only ones who can access the results of the system.

• In convenience, it shows that 70% of the respondents agreed that the proposal is more convenient than the existing system. The result is real time so there is no need for manual counting.

 

Technical and Operation Feasibility

It’s specifies the technicality of the system. The criteria evaluation is almost the same with the operational feasibility. Designing a computerized environment, verification and evaluation system is highly feasible and hardware equipment is available. The technology support is needed in this development. Operational feasibility relates with the technical, it is more on the software. This method is used to determine the portability, user-friendliness, speed, precision and accuracy, reliability, and convenience of the proposed system.

 

Survey Graph

 

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

This chapter will present the summary, conclusion and recommendation. The summary will discuss the company’s background and the existing system that they used. Conclusion will discuss the problem with their existing system and providing a solution for it, while the recommendation provides plans for the enhancement of the system development.

 

SUMMARY

Computers make man’s work easily and faster. Computers are required now for the growing company because it is in modern technology and of the increasing job it generates. Most of the establishments now proposed automated election as a key to develop efficiency in operations and for the growing competition in the industry.

In sequence to computerization, the proponents are proposing the “ACLC Commonwealth Student Council Automated and Networked Election Database System”. This proposal is intended to introduce the subject of student council automated and networked election database system. Student Council Automated and Networked Election Database System will be described in the context of other automated election database system technologies. The potential benefits and risks of Student Council Automated and Networked Election Database System are discussed. There will be some brief discussion of the current environment in terms of standards and testing programs, current and pending legislation, and electronic voting systems manufactures. Desirable characteristics of voting systems will also be discussed.

The proposal sought to answer the following questions:

• Can the proposed student council automated and networked election database system can be more accurate than the previous automated election database system?

• Can the proposed system be more effective according to the following factors:

ü      Portability

ü      User-friendliness

ü      Speed

ü      Accuracy

ü      Reliability

ü      Convenience

 

RECOMMENDATION

The proposed system was made for ACLC Commonwealth students for their student council automated election. The proponents recommend the proposed system to help the ACLC Commonwealth students to realize the essence of computerization and the importance of organized student council automated and networked election database system.

After a thorough analysis of data, the following recommendations are hereby made:

• This research study suggests that administrator will be the one to manage the system.
• For the source material, administrator has a computer provided for him. The program can be installed on his personal computer.

 

CONCLUSION

Through evaluation of the proposed system, the proponents concluded that the proposed system is more helpful than the existing system. During the testing of the proposed system, the proponents demonstrate that it is more reliable because data are stored safely in a database where only authorized personnel can access. It is now possible to derive several conclusions based on the objectives presented in the previous chapter. These conclusions are the following:

• The implementation of ACLC Commonwealth Student Council Automated and Networked Election Database System will make the system more effective in having convenience during the student council election.
• There is automated tally of votes through pie graph at the administrator.
• The results can only be seen by the School Director and the Student Services Coordinator.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. A. MAGAZINE AND BOOKS

The Road to Malacañang The Investigative Reporting Magazine, Volume X Numbers 1-2 (January – June 2004) Published by the Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism, Editor Shiela S. Coronel p. (33 – 35)

Introduction to Information Technology by Dado Lauren L. Bob Wilcox and Erik Solita Nilsson, Collas-Monsod, Kimberling, Peterson, p. (8 – 11)

University of the Philippines Linux Users Group (UnPlug), at the College of Engineering (COe). January 2005. Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) Since 2009 – (COMELEC) Precinct Count of Optical Scan – Optical Mark Reader (PCOS-OMR) contract signed on July 10, 2009 with the consortium Smartmatic – Technology Information Management (TIM). Republic Act (RA) 9369 p. (8 – 15)

1. B. INTERNET

http://www.botomoto.com

http://www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

http://www.varsitarian.net

http://www.gmanews.tv

http://www.ust.edu.ph

http://philippines.suite101.com

http://www.wired.com