Technical glitches mar elections

Technical glitch in one vote counting machine at barangay Tunasan, Muntinlupa. (Photo by Ryan Reyes/Bulatlat)

Originally posted 11:42 a.m.
Updated 1:20 p.m.

Kontra Daya has called for the suspension of pilot testing of the Voter’s Registration Verification Machine (VRVM), saying it has caused delays in the voting.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Bulatlat.com

MANILA — Anti-fraud watchdog Kontra Daya has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to suspend the pilot testing of the Voter’s Registration Verification Machine (VRVM), saying it has caused delays in the voting.

The Comelec identified 10 vote-rich areas for the use of 25,000 VCRMs. These include Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Caloocan City, Quezon City, Manila City, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Davao del Sur and the new Bangsamoro Region.

Kontra Daya recorded seven incidents of malfunctioning Voter’s Registration Verification Machines (VRVMs) in Quezon City and at least 31 cases of errors or failures resulting from malfunctioning vote counting machines (VCMs) nationwide.

Here are some of the reports:

- 4 VRVMs not functioning in Roxas High School in Quezon City. BEI said machines did not recognize log-in details of BEI Chair.
- VRVM not functioning in T. Paez Integrated School in Manila. Comelec Technical Team cannot troubleshoot the problem.
- 4 VRVMs in Judge Juan Luna High School in QC are not working properly. Electoral board switch to manual verification of voters’ in the EDCVL.
- VRVM in precint cluster 326 in Dasmariñas East Integrated National High school, Cavite not working
- All VRVMs in Mabolo Elementary School, Cebu City are not working. Teachers resorted to manual finding of voters’ names in the list.
- VRVMs in 3 precincts in East Bagong Barrio Elementary School, Caloocan City not working. Teachers resort to manual search on EDCVL
- VRVMs in Silangan Elementary School, Caloocan City
- VRVMs in Cielito ES Caloocan City
- Pedro Remoto Elementary School, Negros Oriental

Long queue here at Tondo High School since 7am. VCMs not working. @kontradaya #Halalan2019 #Eleksyon2019 #ProtectYourVote pic.twitter.com/IdyGQI1kuN

— #14Anakpawis Partylist (@AnakpawisPL) May 13, 2019

Danny Arao, Kontra Daya spokesperson, said the VRVM must be suspended as it causes unnecessary delays in the voting process. “We can afford to have it suspended because it is just pilot testing phase,” he said.

Kontra Daya also monitored malfunctioning of vote counting machines in the following:

Precinct 1332 Ismael Mathay Senior HS
Precinct 001A Sto Nino Elementary School, Lumban, Laguna.
Precinct No. 1289A , Cielito High School, Caloocan City
Precinct No. 451B, Tondo High School, Manila
Precinct 3A-3B, 4A, 4B San Manuel, Tarlac
Precinct No. 25, Ruperto Zubia Elementary School, Baler, Aurora
Precinct No. 43B Brgy. Bagong Buhay, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
Jose Fabella Memorial School in Mandaluyong City
Maypajo ES, Maypajo HS, Silangan ES, Caloocan City
Pitogo Elementary School, Makati

Nationwide

In Northern Luzon, VCM shutdowns were reported in the following areas so far: Bambang East Elementary School in Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan Valley and Tumaini, Isabela.

In Central Luzon, VCM problems were reported in the following areas: Brgy. Libsong, West Lingayen, Pangasinan; San Miguel, Tarlac; Minuyan, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Talavera Elementary School, Nueva Ecija; and Ruperto Zubia Elementary School in Baler, Aurora.

In Southern Luzon, VCM problems were reported in the Ibalon Elementary School, Legazpi City. In the Visayas, VCM errors were reported in the precincts of Lawaan, Eastern Samar; Mabolo Elementary School in Cebu City.

In Mindanao, manual voting due to VCM malfunctions were reported along with incidents of vote-buying in the precincts in Malabang, Lanao del Sur and Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao.

Other reported errors included machines shutting down, stopping, or refusing to start, stuck up ballots and/or voters’ receipts, and discrepancies in receipts generated. Some precincts resorted to manual voting.

Kontra Daya said the malfunctioning of machines resulted in long queues, with some voters opting to go home.

Kontra Daya pointed out that although this is the fourth round of nationally-automated elections since 2010, the problem of VCM malfunctions continue plague each round.