How to Vote in the Philippines' First Automated Elections

Tweet

Pin It

It's my first year to vote this 2010 and it's very important for me to research about everyone who's running. I want to make sure that my first vote is not wasted on candidates who are not deserving.

My country, the Philippines, will have its first automated elections - a bill passed by Senator Richard "Dick" Gordon - this 2010 elections. And because of this, voters' education is very important. As I did my own research on what I need to bring and how the whole automated elections works, I would like to share these information and videos for you, my fellow Filipino voters. Here's how to vote in the Philippines' First Automated elections:

GMA News Leksyon sa Eleksyon

First of all, watch these videos produced by GMA News team. This is to introduce us to the Precinct Count Optical Scan unit (PCOS) or the automated counting machine which would play a HUGE part in our first ever automated elections.

In this next video, Connie Sison explains the "clustered precinct" system. Only 80,000+ PCOS machines will be used so some precincts were combined or "clustered" with others to use 1 PCOS machine.

Raffy Tima explains in this next video on how you can actually vote and fill up the ballot.

 

---

The videos above have already summed up what you needed to know to vote this 2010 Philippines automated elections. However, just for those who can't watch the videos because of their internet connection, here are important things you need to take note of in preparation for the automated elections.

What you need to know and bring before heading to your precinct.

1. Find out your assigned precinct number, polling center (school), and polling place (classroom).
   Find out your precinct online through Comelec's Registration Verification page.
   
   Here's what the page looks like. Just enter the required information: 
   The results would look like this: (I had to remove my information for security purposes)
    
   The polling place/classroom where you should cast your vote can be found on the official list of voters for that precinct. Go check the list when you arrive at your polling place.
   
   
2. Bring your I.D. Your voter's ID will do, but to be safe, bring at least 1-2 more valid IDs.
   Valid IDs can be any of the following:
   
   • If you were already issued a Voter's ID, bring it.
   • Any government-issued ID such as SSS, TIN/BIR, Philhealth, GSIS.
   • Driver's license
   • Postal ID
   • PRC ID
   • School ID
     
     
3. Prepare a list of candidates that you'll be voting for.
   Why? To make the whole process quicker.
   I know some people are still making up their minds 'til the last minute of their voting. But, if you've already made up your mind, prepare a list so it'll be easier to fill up the ballot.
   

---

What you need to do and know at the precinct or your polling place

Here's a quick summary of the whole automated voting process:

1. Check your SEQUENCE NUMBER on the official voters' list at your polling place.
   

   This will, again, speed up the whole process. It'll  be easier for the BOARD OF ELECTION INSPECTORS (BEI) to locate your name from the official list of voters.

   
   

2. Present your ID to the BEI and, once verified, they will hand you a ballot and marker.
   
   Here are a couple of things you HAVE to remember about the ballot to make sure your vote is not NULLIFIED:

   • Make sure that there are NO marked circles on the ballot.

   • Make sure that there are no FOLDs, scratches on the barcode, stains, marks, or sweat on your ballot. Make sure your hands are dry when you hold your ballot. Keep your hands very clean.

   • Your ballot will be placed inside a "Ballot Secrecy" folder so you won't be handling the actual ballot 'til you start filling them up.

   • Make sure you avoid scratching the barcode on your ballot. If this is scratched in any way, it will nullify your vote. So, if someone handles it before or after you vote, WATCH THEM CLOSELY. There might be some people who'll scratch your barcode if they saw you voted for someone they're against.

   • You will only get ONE BALLOT so be very careful with the one you have.

   • Your ballot is PRE-REGISTERED so that means ONLY one PCOS machine will accept it. Make sure you line up at the RIGHT machine.

3. Make sure you properly mark the circles for the candidates you're voting for.
   Here are guides on how you should mark the circles and what's acceptable and what's not:

    

4. DO NOT OVERVOTE!
   If the position is only for ONE person, vote for 1 candidate only. For Senators, you are allowed to vote for a maximum of 12 candidates. You are allowed to vote for less than 12, but not over.
   
   If you overvote, your vote for that position will not be counted.
   So, make sure you check the allowed # of candidates you can vote for each position. Here's an example ballot:
   

5. Be careful not to fold, scratch, or write unnecessary marks on your ballot.
   I can't stress this enough. Why? Because you will only be given ONE ballot and the machine might not accept yours if you folded, scratched it or it had unnecessary writings on it.
   
   
6. After voting, submit your ballot by inserting it or feeding it to the PCOS machine.
   The image below shows how you should submit your ballot to the PCOS machine:
   If it's successful, the screen on the PCOS machine will say:
   Congratulations! Your ballot has been scanned.
   Make sure you get this message before leaving. Otherwise, your vote won't be counted.
   
   Also, the PCOS machine will show a voter counter. Make sure that the number will increase by 1 after you've inserted your ballot to ensure that your vote was counted.
   
7. Go back to the BEI and they will mark you with indelible ink.
   They're doing this AFTER you vote to make sure that you don't leave marks on the ballot.
   

---

Here are a few more information about the PCOS machine. Most of us might be concerned about power failures during the elections so the following information might help ease your mind:

• The PCOS machines have internal batteries that can last for 16 HOURS. So, in case of power outages, it will still continue to work. Voting will run for 10 hours so there are extra 6 hours that will serve as buffer.
  
• After the polls end, the PCOS machine will print out a very long cash register receipt, which can last for 5 years. This will be put into a sealed box which will be sent to the Comelec for proper counting.
  
  
• With the PCOS machine, results will be known in 5 days. The machine allows for a manual count, but this will result to weeks of waiting.
  

I hope that this post helps you in learning more on how to vote this coming elections. Let's all pray that the RIGHT candidates will be elected and that the elections will be peaceful. Whatever happens, let's all work together to make our country progress.

As for me, I'm voting for Gordon and Bayani because I believe in the CHANGE they have already implemented and done for our country. I believe they can do MORE CHANGE when they get elected as the next leaders of our country.