Poll official invites public to witness FTS of VCMs

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will start the conduct of the final testing and sealing of the vote counting machines (VCMs) for the May 9 polls this week.

In a forum on Sunday, May 1, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said the purpose of the FTS is to check if the VCMs are working properly and counting correctly.

"From May 2 to 7, there will be VCM testing in different parts of the country. Please see the schedule of the local Comelec," he said.

"Everyone should be there, the watchers, observers, and anyone, who wants to witness them, even just outside the polling precincts," Garcia added.

"You see the machines operate, generate zero receipts, that means the machine is empty...There you can see if the machine works, if it counts correctly. It will be good to see how the machine will function on election day. I hope you join the Comelec in that kind of activity," he said.

Based on the Poll Automation Law, there must be a final examination and testing of the VCMs to be used in each polling precinct.

After, the VCMs shall be closed and sealed by the electoral boards, and will only be opened on Election Day.

Meanwhile, Garcia discouraged voters from placing their "kodigo," or cheat sheet of their preferred candidates in their cellphones.

"Don't place your 'kodigo' in your cellphones as you might be accused of using it to photograph your ballot," he said.

Garcia said while it is not prohibited to carry mobile phones inside polling precincts, voters should not use it there such as in taking selfies.

"Let us not take selfies inside polling precincts. This is especially for first time voters. Voting is not meant for taking selfies," he said.