TESTED BY TEACHERS. Teachers, who will serve as Board of Election Inspectors, on May 13 test a Vote Counting Machine (VCM) in a classroom at Rizal Central School, a school in downtown Tacloban City on Friday (May 10, 2019). The final testing and sealing of more than 4,000 VCMs went smoothly in all polling centers. (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)
TACLOBAN CITY -- All preparations are in place for the conduct of the mid-term elections in Eastern Visayas on Monday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reported.
The final testing and sealing (FTS) of more than 4,000 vote counting machines (VCMs) went smoothly in all polling centers on Friday morning with all machines functional.
The FTS determines if the VCMs can count the votes accurately and if the results are transmitted from the polling precincts to the canvassing centers.
“This is a prelude to the election. Generally, testing and sealing have been successful in the region. Only four SD cards were reported to us as defective, but we’re able to fix the problem. We also have contingency machines in every city and municipality if in case a machine will not function,” said Comelec Regional Director Rafael Olaño.
“After months of preparation, we would say that we are ready to conduct the elections. There is a show of readiness from all components of our preparation.”
All election paraphernalia have been delivered to all precincts on Thursday and secured by personnel from the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army.
“Now that we’re done with final testing and sealing, these machines will be stored in a well-secured area guarded by policemen and military. Machines intended for remote areas will be transported to precincts a day before the elections escorted by policemen or soldiers,” said Olaño in a press briefing Friday afternoon at the Philippine Information Agency regional office here.
About 3.01 million voters are expected to troop to 3,503 clustered precincts in six provinces of the region.
The Comelec has trained 16,509 teachers as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs). Each precinct has three BEIs including one information technology-capable as certified by the Department of Science and Technology. (PNA)
