MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections on Monday said they it has to validate reports on problems encountered in the automated election system.
In a press briefing, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said several precincts experienced ballot rejections of vote-counting machines (VCMs).
"If a ballot is rejected, you get to re-feed it. Uulitin mong ipasok ulit. And kung na-reject ulit ay re-feed ulit, you can re-feed it up to four times," Jimenez said.
The ballots rejected in many cases were eventually accepted by the machines, based on reports.
Under the supplemental General Instructions to Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) of the Comelec, the BEI shall allow the voter to re-feed the ballot four times in four different orientations.
"So only when it is rejected in the fourth try that it can be considered a rejected ballot," said Jimenez.
"We just want to make sure that when we report so and so number of rejections took place, 'eto yung mga rejections na hindi naman later on natanggap," he added.
The poll body also received a report that VCMs in some precincts have to be replaced.
Jimenez explained the protocol for VCM replacements, which involved the help of a technician who would verify the need for a new machine.
"It’s the technician who will make that call doon sa aming command center. And once the call is made, a new machine will be sent to the venue," he said.
In some cases, however, the machine may not be replaced immediately, especially in remote areas.
"Kailangan bumiyahe ng makina so we are looking at several or around two hours of delivery time na pinakamatagal," Jimenez said.
Although the poll body has no official resolution when there is a delay in voting, Jimenez said voting will be extended at the end of the day.
"But again there is no resolution for that, for now. We are still collating these reports," he said.
The Comelec advised to wait for the next advisory to be issued at 12 p.m. on Monday. — Video by Efigenio Toledo IV