Comelec launches vote counting machine demo

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) held a demonstration of the vote counting machines (VCM) on January 25, Monday, at the Pope Pius XII Catholic Center as part of the body’s preparations for the upcoming 2016 national and local elections. The demo introduced upgraded models of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines to be utilized in the said elections.

According to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, the new machines highlight four security features, including an ultraviolet lamp to certify that casted ballots are genuine, a source code review to ensure that votes are accurately tallied in the system, digital signatures of members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI), and the Voter Verification Paper Ballot Trail (VVPAT) or the printing of receipts of a person’s votes.

To date, only three features are enabled in the machines, namely the ultraviolet lamp, source code review, and the digital signatures. Meanwhile, the activation of the VVPAT is still under deliberation by the Comelec.

Still weighing options

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez stated that only one VCM would be used per clustered precinct, which can accommodate a maximum of 800 voters each. The ballots can be fed into the machine in any orientation. Fake ballots including those duplicated, previously scanned for a different precinct, or with ambiguous marks are identified and rejected by the VCM.

Among other features of the new VCM includes a battery lasting up to 14 hours and a touchscreen monitor, which will allow voters to see and check their votes on-screen. Jimenez explains that the on-screen verification process will take at least 30 seconds per voter. On the length of time it will take for a voter to verify the votes and print tape receipts, Jimenez estimated that the extra minutes spent will cause a delay of at least 2.1 hours for every 600 voters.

Bautista indicated that enabling the VVPAT would allow transparency and accuracy but will also cause delay in the voting process and hold the “potential for vote buying.”

On the possibility of disrupting the elections, Bautista explained the potential of generating a “conspiracy for losing candidates to question the credibility of the elections by organizing a group who would just complain about the receipts saying it’s not accurate.”

The decision whether or not to enable the VVPAT in the VCM will be released in February.

Few reminders

Although the VCM will allow voters to add votes for positions that may be skipped or under-voted, Jimenez also reminded voters, especially those voting for the first time, to always check the ballots for any erasures, as such will be declared void.

In the case of voter error, Jimenez explained that the printing of extra ballots is still under review, as past allegations had targeted the Comelec for “favoring certain candidates” over excess ballots.

On the use of phones in the polling place, Jimenez clarified that cellphones would be allowed. However, he reminded first-time voters that taking pictures or videos of the ballots is strictly prohibited.