CONTINGENCY MEASURES ON FTS AND E-DAY

Comelec Resolution No. 10759

NOTE:Everything stated here must be recorded in the Minutes

I. VCM box not delivered

(a) EB should call the EO who shall CEMAC – COMELEC Election
Monitoring Action Center)
(b) CEMAC 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 9, 2022. Notices shall be sent accordingly.

II. Missing items inside the VCM box

1. If the FTS ballots are less than ten (10) but not less than three (3), EB should
note the same in the Minutes but proceed with the FTS using the available FTS
ballots
2. If less than three (3) or no FTS ballots, EB should:
(a) call the EO who shall call CEMAC;
(b) re-schedule the FTS to E-day, May 9, 2022;
(c) on the said re-scheduled FTS, 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) EB should call the DepEd Supervising Official Technical Support
Staff (DESO-TSS);
(b) DESO-TSS shall refer the matter to CEMAC;
(c) CEMAC shall refer the same to PMO Project Director for the
issuance of PINs/Passwords within the day
4. If One (1) iButton for operations is missing:
(a) EB should call the DepEd Supervising Official Technical Support
Staff (DESO-TSS);
(b) DESO-TSS shall refer the matter to CEMAC;
(c) CEMAC shall refer the same to PMO Project Director for the
issuance of iButtons/SD Cards to the EB;
5. If the missing items are the plug adapter, VCM power cord, battery cable,
rolls of thermal paper, checklist of the contents of the VCM box, USB modem
with sim cards, cleaning sheets, marking pens, or security seal/sticker are
lacking inside the VCM box, EB should inform the DESO-TSS. DESO-TSS will
be informed by the CEMAC what actions should be taken.

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III. Defects or malfunction detected during the diagnostic test
(a) EB shall call the DESO - TSS who shall call CEMAC;
(b) CEMAC shall refer the same to PMO Project Director for the
replacement of the VCM or reconfiguration of the SD Cards/iButtons for
operations on the same day, or if not possible, FTS shall be reset not
later than the day before the election day.

IV. Discrepancy in ER and manual audit

(a) EB shall review / re-appreciate the ballots to determine the
discrepancy;
(b) EB shall call the DESO - TSS who shall call CEMAC;
(c) If the VCM is defective, CEMAC shall refer the same to PMO Project
Director for the replacement of the VCM for operations on the same day,
or if not possible, FTS shall be reset not later than the day before the
election day.

V. Misdelivered Official Ballots

(a) EB should call the EO to inform the Treasurer’s Office;
(b) If misdelivery is within the same City/Municipality/District, EO shall
direct the Treasurer’s Office to resolve the mis-delivery. EO shall
report it to CEMAC;
(c) If mis-delivery is within the same Province/Region, EO shall inform
the PES or RED of NCR to arrange the immediate delivery of the
correct ballots. PES shall report it to CEMAC
(d) The EB shall announce the delay to the voters

VI. Shortage of ballots

(a) EB shall verify the voter’s list of names of voters;
(b) EB shall inform DESO to coordinate with EBs of the other polling
places with available ballots to allow the voters to cast their votes;

VII. Insufficient ballots

(a) EB shall report the shortage of ballots to EO and shall proceed to
open the voting process. EO shall report to CEMAC;
(b) If all ballots are used, EB shall inform DESO who shall coordinate
with other EBs with available ballots to allow the voters to cast their
votes tin another polling place through the guidance of the DESO

VIII. Problem in the size of the ballots

(a) EB shall immediately report to the EO who shall contact CEMAC
for guidance
(b) the shortage of ballots to EO and shall proceed to open the voting
process. EO shall report to CEMAC;

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IX. Insufficient thermal paper
(a) EB shall report to DESO who shall inform the EO who shall then
report the same to CEMAC;
(b) EO shall verify the availability of thermal paper;
(c) DESO may also check with other polling places for extra thermal
paper;

X. Marking pens are all out of ink or the pens are all missing
(a) EB shall report to DESO;
(b) Use regular blackpoint pen;

XI. There is sabotage, explosion, equipment robbery

(a) If required to leave the precinct, the EB shall report to the EO and
immediately secure all equipment, election forms, etc. about the
transfer or suspension of voting, and then proceed to a safer place;
(b) If peace and order is restored, the EB shall conduct inventory of all
equipment, forms and election supplies. If there are missing items, the
EB shall report to the EO and local PNP for proper documentation and
investigation. EO shall call CEMAC to inform about the missing item/s.

XII. There is fire, flood, earthquake, and others

(a) If required to leave the precinct, the EB shall report to the EO and
immediately secure all equipment, election forms, etc. about the
transfer or suspension of voting, and then proceed to a safer place;
(b) EO shall report to CEMAC.

XIII. There is no DESO

(a) The EB shall inform the DESO of the absence of the DESO – TSS,
who shall inform the EO about the absence of the DESO - TSS.
(b) The EO shall designate a substitute DESO - TSS. 4 and shall
report this substitution to CEMAC – NTSC for record purposes

XIV. VCM Malfunctions

(a) EB should call the DESO-TSS who shall solve the malfunction
(b) If DESO-TCC cannot solve it, DESO-TCC shall report it to CEMAC
and EO
(c) CEMAC shall assist the DESO-TCC in troubleshooting the VCM
(d) After sixty (60) continuous minutes of failure and non-operation of
VCM, CEMAC shall recommend to the PMO Director to replace VCM
and shall authorize the EO for the deployment of contingency VCM for
replacement
(e) EO must retrieve the contingency VCM from the Regional Hub and
bring it to the police place to replace the malfunction VCM

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 (f) DESO-TSS shall perform the replacement of the VCM
(g) While waiting for the arrival and replacement of the VCM, EB shall
announce the casting of votes with two options: (1) proceed with the
casting, and the EB 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
(h) If there is no VCM contingency, follow (g).

XV. SD card malfunctions and failures

(a) EB should call the DESO-TSS who shall verify the reported defect.
(b) If defective, DESO-TCC shall report it to CEMAC who shall instruct
the DESO-TCC the procedures to be performed
(c) If remained unresolved, CEMAC shall recommend to the PMO
Director the reconfiguration of the defective SD Card. DESO-TCC will
bring the Main and Back-up SD Cards including the 2 iButtons for
operations to the EO, who will bring them to the provincial and regional
technical hub.
(d) In the process of troubleshooting, EB shall announce the casting of
votes with two options: (1) proceed with the casting, and the EB 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

XVI. Ballot Jam

(a) If the ballot is visible, EB shall gently pull out from the ballot entry the
ballot and allow the voter to re-feed the same.
(b) If the ballot is not visible in the entry slot:
(i) remove the VCM from the ballot box and retrieve the ballot from
the exit slot
(ii) install the VCM on top of the ballot box
(iii) return the ballot to the voter for re-feeding
(iv) 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
(c) If the jam is caused by improper stacking of the ballots inside the
ballot box:
(i) remove the VCM
(ii) shake the ballot box to make room for feeding of additional ballots
(iii) install the VCM on top of the ballot box
(iv) if there is a need to open the ballot box, EB should open the
ballot box, press the ballots in order to make room for feeding of
additional ballots then close the ballot box.

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XVII. 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.

XVIII. Continuous rejection of ballots after initial acceptance of several ballots

(a) perform the scanner cleaning procedure
(b) if rejection of ballot continues, after feeding in four different
orientations, EB should call the DESO-TSS.
(c) DESO-TSS shall determine the cause of the rejection and resolve it.
If they cannot, contact CEMAC for further assistance
(d) DESO-TCC shall troubleshoot the VCM following the instruction of
CEMAC.
(e) If remained unresolved, CEMAC shall recommend the PMO Director
for the replacement of the defective VCM.

XIX. VCM printer malfunctions

(a) EB should call the DESO-TSS to determine the problem and solve it
(b) If DESO-TCC cannot solve it, DESO-TCC to seek further assistance
(c) DESO-TCC shall attempt to troubleshoot the failure
(d) If VCM printer malfunction remains unresolved, CEMAC shall
recommend to the PMO Director to replace VCM and shall authorize the
EO for the deployment of contingency VCM for replacement
(e) While waiting for the arrival and replacement of the VCM, EB shall
announce the casting of votes with two options: (1) proceed with the
casting, and the EB 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

XX. Incorrect Date/Time

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

XXI. Power Failure or battery discharge

(a) EB ensure that VCM is connected to the battery;
(b) Report power failure to DESO, who shall notify the EO. EO shall
report the same to CEMAC
(c) DESO will inquire from the local electric provider on the duration of
the power interruption
(d) If power cannot be restored by 5:00 PM, EO shall provide for lighting
provisions

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XXII. Unable to close voting
EB will check the VCM if it has the correct date and time. If not, EB will
correct it and then proceed to close voting. EB will report the same to
CEMAC.

XXIII. Retransmission Failures

(a) Try for three (3) times
(b) If the transmission failed after three (3) attempts:
(i) EB should call the DESO-TSS
(ii) DESO-TSS shall solve the problem
(iii) If unresolved, DESO-TCC shall report it to CEMAC for proper
solution
(iv) DESO-TCC shall troubleshoot the transmission failure
(c) If the problem is the transmission device, borrow transmission device
from other precinct that has finished transmission. Attempt to re-transmit
(d) 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: Before transporting, EB must complete the printing of the 30

ERs. In transporting the VCM to the nearest Voting Center or
canvassing venue, the watchers should escort the EB.

XII. Write-Protect Malfunctions

(a) Verify date/time of VCM. If not correct, change it. Then proceed with
Write-Protect function
(b) If time/date of VCM is correct, EB should call the DESO-TSS who
shall report it to CEMAC

XIII. VCM Shut Down Problems

(a) Hard press the power button
(b) Remove the power adopter from the power outlet
(c) Disconnect the battery from the VCM