The 2010 Election launches a different way of doing things. Following in the footsteps of more developed countries, we have finally heeded an urgent call to do something about our outdated and inefficient election ways. With the Automated Election System, frauds that have tainted the elections and damaged the nation’s spirit of democracy can now be minimized. This new technology also cuts counting time down from weeks to just minutes.

But anything new makes us feel a little skeptical towards this new method. You might have some questions about the Automated Election System. Read along and learn how voting through this new technology is really easy. It’s just like withdrawing money from an ATM, but even better. Instead of getting money for our own personal pleasure, this system allows us to contribute to something much bigger than ourselves.

What is the Automated Election System? The Automated Election System is a new way of voting, counting, consolidating, canvassing and transmitting election results. It is made up of several components--the ballot box, the PCOS machine, ballots and marking pens.

The Ballot Box Below the machine is a ballot box.

The demo machine shown here is in solid black. What you’ll see on Election Day are transparent plastic units. They have to be transparent so that their contents are visible to everyone, and potential frauds can be nipped in the bud. All the ballots fed into the machine go in here.

The machine has two components: one for valid ballots and another for invalid ballots. Once a ballot is inserted and scanned, the machine determines if it is valid or invalid and automatically shoots it into the proper box.

The PCOS Machine What is the PCOS Machine? The new system uses the PCOS machine. PCOS stands for Precinct Count Optical Scan. Instead of collecting and counting ballots manually, it is a computerized ballot box that does everything automatically. Let’s describe it in detail:

1. Precinct - One PCOS is assigned to one clustered precinct. The machine is very choosy. Each PCOS can only work in its assigned clustered precinct. It has stored information about the clustered precinct’s municipality, name of school and number of voters. The PCOS can only accept a pre-determined number of voters, which is dependent on the number of people who registered in that precinct. The machine will invalidate any ballot that exceeds its limit. For example, only 200 voters are registered in Clustered Precinct A. If a 201st voter tries to enter his ballot, the PCOS will invalidate it. In this way, ghost voters and voter’s list inflation can be avoided.

2. Count - The PCOS automatically counts and updates the number of votes and voters, each time a ballot is submitted. This makes counting so much easier!

3. Optical Scan - Every ballot is barcoded. Once fed into the machine, the PCOS digitally scans and saves the ballot.

What are the Parts of the PCOS Machine?

The PCOS machine has several parts—the feeder, its touch screen, the thermal printer, and the security key and battery.

Feeder - A voter personally submits his filled-out ballot through the feeder. He can insert it any way he chooses. The machine can scan and read ballots, even if they are inserted face down or upside down.

Touch Screen - Very similar to an ATM, the machine’s touch screen features an interface which the voters can refer to while using it. The interface includes an administrative menu, wherein you can see how many voters have voted already and if you have submitted a ballot successfully. It also includes the actions you want the machine to perform, like open and close the election, and print out results. The screen has a status indicator that tells the voters if the election is still ongoing or has closed. It will usually display “Open” or “Close” on one part of the screen.

Thermal Printer - the PCOS machine has a thermal printer to print out election results and audit logs for that precinct. The thermal paper used in printing can last up to five years.

Security Key - To activate the machine, a Board of Elections Inspector (BEI) representative inserts a key into the PCOS and enters two passwords. The key is also used to close the election.

Battery - Each machine is powered by electricity. But in case of power failure or if a precinct has no access to power, the machine is provided with a battery which lasts for 12-16 hours.

The Ballot The ballot has several security features to secure votes. Each ballot has a different bar code. Each PCOS can only accept a range of bar-codes specific to a clustered precinct. If somebody from another precinct tries to submit his ballot, the machine will invalidate it.

Once a machine has scanned a ballot or a bar-code, it cannot read the same code in case someone tries inserting a fake ballot with that particular code. This is to maintain the ballot’s uniqueness and minimize counterfeit versions.

Marking Pens On Election Day, COMELEC will distribute special marking pens. A voter shall use only this pen (and not any other) to fill out the ballots.

How to Vote Using the Automated Election System

1. The ballots will still be distributed manually. The usual COMELEC procedures will be followed.

2. Fill out the ballot using the marking pen distributed by the COMELEC.

3. After filling it out, insert the ballot into the PCOS’s feeder. Wait for a confirmation message on the touch screen that says “Thank you for voting”.

This is a signal that your ballot has been successfully submitted and shot into the ballot box.

4. After voting, have your finger marked with indelible ink.

Things to Remember While Voting

1. In filling out the ballot, shade the oval completely. If you just drew a dot or shaded the oval half-way, the machine might not be able to read your vote. The machine has a 50% marking threshold.

This means that the mark should be at least 50% of the oval’s size for it to be recognized by the machine.

2. Do not over-vote. The system will invalidate any over-voted ballot or contest. Only mark and choose the right number of candidates in a contest. If you marked two names in the presidential contest, the machine will invalidate your vote in that contest. But your votes for all the other contests (ex. vice presidential and senatorial contests) will still be considered. For example, if you marked 13 names instead of 12 in the senatorial contest; the PCOS will invalidate all your votes in that contest.

What happens when you under-vote or leave a contest blank? It’s okay and legal.

The PCOS will still count the options that you have marked. For example, in the senatorial contest, if you only chose 10 names instead of 12, the machine will consider those votes.

3. Avoid creasing or folding your ballot. Since the machine is very sensitive, any fold or crease may invalidate a ballot, especially if it coincides with an oval.

4. Before voting, you should already have an idea of the candidates whom you will vote for. Prepare a list of your candidates at home and bring it to the precinct as a reference while voting. It is perfectly legal to bring “kodigos”. It is, however, illegal to distribute sample ballots (especially with marked names on them) in precincts.

There are over 80,000 clustered precincts and 82,000 PCOS machines will be distributed across the country, 2,000 of which will serve as back-ups.

Some comforting words for those with technophobia: Not to worry. It’s a piece of cake!

Cara Funk

This article was taken from Your Vote, Your Country and You; A Primer and Workbook for the Coming Election produced for the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) by the Communication Foundation for Asia.

“Election technology is just a tool in itself, and does not completely guarantee the total eradication of electoral fraud, especially cheating that emanates from the “human component” of the process. But it radically helps minimize the possibility of fraud brought about by too many layered human interventions. A change in the process of voting must go hand-in-hand with a change in electoral values. Electoral machines are the objects and not the subjects of electoral reform…the voters are the subjects! When apprehension and fear (among older and non-IT exposed voters) might discourage full participation in the polls, education is the key! People might be uneasy and doubtful about change, but dialogue and education can help alleviate these concerns.”

(From the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) Boto Ko Ang Sago 2010 Votes’ Education Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) Manual pp 10-11).