Comelec addresses VCM, VRVM concerns on final testing, sealing

ILOILO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Iloilo City addressed concerns encountered in the final testing and sealing of vote counting machines (VCM) and voter registration verification machines (VRVMs) on Friday.

Lawyer Mavil Majarucon Sia, Iloilo City Comelec officer, said the final testing and sealing is done to ensure the machines will function well during the elections on Monday.

“Before election, we can have an idea of the VCM and the VRVM that is not working so at least, if something went wrong in the machines today, we still have enough time to make the necessary repair or provide them with (a) contingency unit,” Sia said in an interview.

Sia, along with the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs), members of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), and representatives of political bets and parties, opened the final testing and sealing of machines at the A. Mabini Elementary School along Mabini St., Iloilo City Proper here.

Registered voters of Villa Anita, Inday, San Felix, and Mabolo-Delgado villages will cast their votes in six clustered precincts at the A. Mabini Elementary School on Monday.

Lyn Gordoncillo, assigned trained technician at A. Mabini, said the VRMs encountered some problems but were immediately addressed.

“Some of the problems were unreadable USB (Universal Serial Bus), paper jamming, and there was one VCM, which refused to shut down but we had addressed all of these concerns,” Grodoncillo said in an interview Friday afternoon.

John Vincent Ebro of Villa Anita village “cast” his vote during the final testing and sealing. Although he was able to register with the Comelec, Ebro’s fingerprint was not recognized by the VRVM.

The VRVM verifies the fingerprint to make sure that the voter is registered with the Comelec.

“My fingerprint was not read by the machine, probably because it was wet when I subjected it for verification,” he said, adding that he was allowed to vote after his name was found using the manual search.

After “casting” his vote, Ebro successfully fed his ballot to the VCM.

“It was successful. At least, with the VCM and the VRVM, we can have fast and accurate elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Col. Martin Defensor, ICPO director, assured that the police force is capable of securing the voting centers.

A police team is put on stand-by for quick reaction response and the regional special operations task group is also ready to counter any security threat, he said.

“We are fortunate that Iloilo City is near the regional office and the special operations group can respond immediately,” he said.