HAND-OUT FOR LAWYERS

CONTINGENCY MEASURES ON FTS AND E-DAY

I. VCM box not delivered

- BEI should call the EO who shall call the National Command Center (NCC)
- NCC shall determine if the VCM box will be delivered on the scheduled FTS. If not,
FTS will be re-scheduled by the EO not later than May 13, 2019. Notices shall be sent
accordingly.

II. Missing items inside the VCM box

1. If the FTS ballots are less than ten (10), BEI should note the same in the Minutes
but proceed with the FTS using the available FTS ballots

2. If no FTS ballots, BEI should:

(a) call the EO who shall call the NCC;

(b) re-schedule the FTS to E-day, at least two (2) hours before the opening of the
polls, that is 4:00 AM on May 13, 2019;
(c) on the said date, use only three (3) official ballots (no longer FTS ballot) for the
FTS;
(d) retrieve the three (3) used official ballots from the ballot box;
(e) mark across the face “FTS ballots”; and
(f) put them inside the envelope for Counter Test Ballots, ERs and Other Reports

3. If all/majority of the EB Pins/Password are unavailable or denied:

(a) BEI should call the DepEd Supervising Official Technical Support Staff (DESO-
TSS);
(b) DESO-TSS shall refer the matter to NTSC
(c) NTSC shall refer the same to PMO Project Director for the issuance of
PINs/Passwords

4. If all/majority of the iButtons/SD Cards are unavailable or denied, BEI should:

(a) BEI should call the DepEd Supervising Official Technical Support Staff (DESO-
TSS);
(b) DESO-TSS shall refer the matter to NTSC
(c) NTSC shall refer the same to PMO Project Director for the issuance of
iButtons/SD Cards

NOTE: If the NTSC determines that the iButtons/SD Cards will not be delivered on
the on the scheduled FTS, FTS will be re-scheduled by the EO not later than May 13,
2019. Notices shall be sent accordingly.

5. If the missing items are the security seal/sealing sticker, tie wrap, cleaning sheets,
thermal paper, marking pens, checklist, headset, battery cable, USB modem or Sim card,
BEI should:

(a) announce to watchers that FTS shall proceed per Comelec Reso. No. 10460;
 (b) inform the DESO-TSS. DESO-TSS will be informed by the NTSC what actions
should be taken

III. VCM Malfunctions

- Follow the steps:

(a) BEI should call the DESO-TSS

(b) DESO-TSS shall solve the malfunction
(c) If DESO-TCC cannot solve it, DESO-TCC shall report it to NTSC and EO
(d) DESO-TCC shall attempt to troubleshoot the VCM with the help of NSTC support
personnel
(e) After sixty (60) continuous minutes of failure and non-operation of VCM, the
NSTC shall authorize the EO for the deployment of contingency VCM for replacement
(f) EO must retrieve the contingency VCM from the Regional Hub and bring it to the
police place to replace the malfunction VCM
(g) DESO-TSS shall perform the replacement of the VCM
(h) While waiting for the arrival and replacement of the VCM, BEI shall announce
the casting of votes with two options: (1) proceed with the casting, and the BEI will be the
one to feed later their shaded ballots in the VCM, with waiver on the part of the voters to
see their VVPAT; or (2) wait for the replacement VCM for them to personally feed the ballot
in the VCM

IV. SD card malfunctions and failures

- Follow the steps:

(a) BEI should call the DESO-TSS

(b) DESO-TSS shall troubleshoot the VCM
(c) If unresolved, DESO-TCC shall report it to NTSC
(d) DESO-TCC shall attempt to solve it again with the help of NSTC support
personnel
(e) If still unresolved, DESO-TSS shall call NSTC for the deployment of contingency
SD card
(f) If the Main SD card is defective, while the VCM is off, remove the Main SD card,
and replace it with the contingency SD Card. But if the Backup SD card is defective, then it
will be the one which will be replaced
(g) If both Main and Backup SD cards are defective, DESO-TSS shall report it to NTSC
and EO. NTSC PMO Project Director shall authorize EO to reconfigure the SD cards at the Regional
Hub

V. Incorrect Date/Time

- BEI should inform the watchers of the incorrect date/time, and note the same in
the minutes. Correct the date/time of the VCM.

VI. Ballot Jam

- If the ballot is visible, BEI shall, in the presence of the watchers, gently pull out
from the ballot entry the ballot and return the same to the voter for re-feeding.
- If the ballot is not visible in the entry slot:
 (a) remove the VCM from the ballot box and retrieve the ballot from the exit slot
(b) install the VCM on top of the ballot box
(c) return the ballot to the voter for re-feeding
(d) if the ballot is rejected because it has already been counted, remove the VCM
from the ballot box to place the ballot inside the ballot box. Re- install the VCM on top of
the ballot box

- If the jam is caused by improper stacking of the ballots inside the ballot box:

(a) remove the VCM

(b) shake the ballot box to make room for feeding of additional ballots
(c) install the VCM on top of the ballot box
(d) if there is a need to open the ballot box, BEI should, in the presence of the
watchers, open the ballot box, press the ballots in order to make room for feeding of
additional ballots then close the ballot box.

- if there is a continuous rejections of ballots:

(a) feed the ballot in four (4) different orientations

(b) if ballot is still rejected, do the following:
(1) perform the scanner cleaning procedure
(2) if rejection of ballot continues, BEI should call the DESO-TSS.
(3) DESO-TSS shall look at the root of the failure and solve it
(4) if DESO-TSS cannot solve it, contact NTSC for proper solution
(5) DESO-TCC shall troubleshoot the VCM with the help of NSTC support
personnel

VII. Thermal Paper Jam

- Open the VCM printer cover and remove the jam by gently pulling the paper, then
re-load the thermal paper or add new paper roll, if required

VIII. Printer Malfunction

- Follow the steps:

(a) BEI should call the DESO-TSS

(b) DESO-TSS shall solve the problem
(c) If unresolved, DESO-TCC shall report it to NTSC for proper solution
(d) if failure persists, after voting, use the VCM of the nearby precinct by utilizing
the main/backup SD cards and iButtons of the VCM with defective printer.
(e) if not practicable, the printing shall proceed to the canvassing venue using
another VCM upon the order of the Chairman of the BOC

IX. Misdelivery of Official Ballots

- BEI should call the EO to verify with the Treasurer’s Office

- If misdelivery is within the same City, EO shall direct the Treasurer’s Office to
resolve the misdelivery. EO shall report it to NCC
- If misdelivery is from different City, EO shall report it to NCC for proper disposition
X. Power Failure

- BEI ensure that VCM is connected to the battery

- Report power failure to EO
- If electricity cannot be restored by 5:00 PM, EO shall provide for lighting facilities
- If the battery is discharged after FTS, connect the battery to VCM to charge it

XI. Retransmission Failures

- Try for three (3) times

- If the transmission failed after three (3) attempts:

(a) BEI should call the DESO-TSS

(b) DESO-TSS shall solve the problem
(c) If unresolved, DESO-TCC shall report it to NTSC for proper solution
(d) DESO-TSS shall troubleshoot the transmission failure with the help of
NTSC support personnel

- If the problem is the transmission device, borrow transmission device from other
precinct that has finished transmission. Attempt to re-transmit
- If problem persists, transport VCM to: (a) nearest Voting Center, predetermined by
the EO, where communication signal is strong; or (b) canvassing venue – for re-
transmission

NOTE: In transporting the VCM to the nearest Voting Center or canvassing venue,
the watchers should escort the BEI

XII. Write-Protect Malfunctions

- Verify date/time of VCM. If not correct, change it. Then proceed with Write-Protect
- If time/date of VCM is correct:

(a) BEI should call the DESO-TSS

(b) DESO-TSS to call NTSC
(c) DESO-TCC shall perform procedure given by NTSC

- Check if the SD cards are inserted property in the slots

XIII. VCM Shut Down Problems

- Hard press the power button

- Remove the power adopter from the power outlet
- Disconnect the battery from the VCM