WATCHER’S GUIDELINES

- Call time: 5:00 a.m. ( assigned polling place )

- 2 watchers who shall serve alternately

Introduction of the ( VRVS ) Voter Registration Verification System

through the use of the VRVM ( Voter Registration Verification
Machine ) in pilot areas including the PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN.

3 KINDS OF PROCEDURES FOR VOTERS VERIFICATION:

A. FINGERPRINTING ( Autosearch )
1. The poll clerk shall ask the voter if included in the list of
Voters manually crossed out; if not found, proceed with the
fingerprint ( Autosearch )
2. Before fingerprint verification, the pollclerk shall check the
voter’s fingernail for any indelible ink stain, if none proceed
with the fingerprinting.
3. Fingerprint scanning can only be done a maximum of four (4)
times.
4. If fingerprint scan result indicates that the person has already
been authorized, the poll clerk shall verify in the EDCVL if said
voter has already voted.
5. Verification receipt shall be automatically generated and
printed. The receipt shall be detached and be given to the
voter.
6. The receipt shall be place by the Chairperson inside the
envelop
7. Thereafter the voter shall be directed to the Chairperson who
shall authenticate the ballot by affixing his/her signature
( Only the Chairperson shall issue the official ballots ).
8. If there is failure of verification despite the fingerprint, the
poll clerk shall proceed with MANUAL ( VISUAL ) Verification.
 B. MANUAL ( VISUAL ) VERIFICATION b. Tear the Unused Ballots in half lengthwise.
The poll clerk shall:
1. Click on ‘ GO TO MANUAL SEARCH’
c. 1st half of the torn ballots must be place in the envelop
2. Ask the name of the voter and enter the same in the
( CEF No. A15 ), the other half must be deposited inside the ballot
VRVM and wait for the matching profile to be displayed
3. Show the matching profile to the voter and check the box
same to confirm the identity of the voter.
4. If the MANUAL ( VISUAL ) search still fails, the poll clerk 8. Position themselves behind the chairperson of the EB in such a
shall proceed with EDCVL VERIFICATION. way that they can read the election returns while the
Chairperson is publicly announcing the precinct result.
C. EDCVL VERIFICATION of the voter
1. Verify if the name of the voter is in the EDCVL to establish 9.
Watcher must ask for the copies of the CERTIFICATE
the identity of the voter, if the voter’s name is not in the
OF VOTES ( CEF No. 13 )
EDCVL, the voter shall not be allowed to vote
2. Check the fingernails for any indelible ink. If stained it
shall be a conclusive presumption that the voter has 10. BE shall delivered the ballot box accompanied by watchers to
already cast his/her vote the City/ Municipal Treasurer.
3. If the fingernail is not stained, the voter shall be directed
to the Chairperson, who shall issue the ballot.

Qualifications of watchers:
a. Registered voter of the city or municipality where such person is
assigned
b. is of good moral character
c. Has not been convicted by final judgment of any election offense or
any other crime.
d. Knows how to read and write Filipino, English or prevailing local
dialect
e. is not related within the 4th civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
to the Chairperson, or any other member of the Electoral Board ( EB )
in the polling place where such person seeks appointment as
watcher.
III. AFTER VOTING ( 6pm )
1.Closing of the VRVM shall be at the end of the voting hours, the
poll clerk shall press logout ( once the VRVM has been closed, it can
no longer be opened ).
2. See to it that the BE Poll clerk, press the option “ CLOSE VOTING”
in the main Menu of the VCM
3. The VCM shall display again on the message screen “ DO YOU
WANT TO ADD SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION RESULT”, the Third
Member shall press YES
4. The VCM displays the message “ CHANGING THE VOTING
MACHINE TO CLOSED”. The VCM shall automatically print ( 8 ) copies
of the National Returns, and ( 8 ) copies of the local returns. Detach
the Election Returns, the EB shall sign and affix their thumbmarks in
the certification portion of all copies of the Election Returns
afterwards place them in their respective envelops which must be
sealed with serial numbered paper seals. The EB shall post 1 copy of
the ER in a conspicuous place inside the polling place.
5. After printing of the Election Returns, the VCM will display the
message “ DO YOU WANT TO TRANSMIT ELECTION RETURNS”, the
BE must choose “ YES”. The VCM will display the message “ THE
RESULT WERE SUCCESFULLY TRANSMITTED TO MBOC/CENTRAL/KBP
SERVER”.
6. The VCM will then print ( 22 ) copies of National and ( 22 ) copies
of Local returns. The VCM will display the message “ CLOSE POLLS
COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY”.
7. See to it that after voting period, the BE Chairperson in the
presence of the other member shall;
a. Record in the Minutes the quantity of unused ballots.
Duties and Rights of Watchers:
I. Before Voting Period 5am – 6am
- Upon entering the polling place, the watchers shall present to the
chairperson of the Electoral Board their appointments as watchers,
and their names must be recorded in the Minutes with annotation
under their signature that they are not disqualified.
- Must be in the designated polling place ( according to Sec.55 of the
Comelec Resolution No. 10460, the VCM box shall be opened only,
on May 13, 2019, not earlier than 5a.m., and in the presence of the
watchers, if any).
- See to it that the VCM box is sealed
A. Ballot box is empty and thereafter lock with 4 seals
- Package of Official Ballots is duly sealed , and thereafter break the
seal
- See the opening of the VCM Box which contain VCM, power cord of
the VCM, battery cable, etc. ( important: The EB must show to the
public that the slots labeled “A” and “B” containing the main SD
and back-up SD cards are sealed.
B. Opening of the VRVM ( Voters Registration Verification Machine (
Not later than 6am ).
- Check if the Chairperson shall open the VRVM by pressing its power
button.
- Check from the SEARCH VOTER SCREEN that the number of
Registered Voters whose data are loaded in the VRVS, corresponds
to the number of registered voters in the EDCVL
II. During Voting Period ( 6am - 6pm) ( Except voters who have
not yet cast their votes but are within 30 meters from the polling
place by 6pm shall still be allowed to cast their votes . The Poll clerk
shall prepare a complete list in duplicate containing the names of said
voters numbered consecutively, they shall be called 3 times, if not
present or does not respond when called shall no longer be allowed
to vote)
Watchers shall have the right to:
A. Stay in the space reserved for them inside the polling place
- only the watchers of the the Citizen’s Arms may stay closest to the
EB
- no watchers shall enter the place reserved for the voters, EB and talk with
the voter and also among themselves
B. Witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the EB.
- if there is any irregularity and the BE shall have a meeting, it must be held
publicly and only in the polling place.
C. Take note of what they may see or hear
- verification of the registered voter
- no cellphones or taking of pictures by the voters and watchers
- it is unlawful for a voter to prepare the voter’s ballot without using the
ballot secrecy folder or to exhibit its contents .
- use of capturing device such as but not limited to digital cameras, cellular
phones with camera, or other means to copy the content of the ballot, or
otherwise make use of any other scheme to identify his vote.
- name of the voter shall be distinctly announced in a tone loud enough to
be heard throughout the polling place.
D.Take picture, image or photo of the proceeding and incidents, if any,
during testing and sealing, counting of votes, transmission and printing of
election returns, provided the secrecy of the ballot shall be maintained at
all times. In no case shall taking of pictures, images or photos be allowed
during casting of votes. ( Only before voting and after voting period. )
E. File a protest against any irregularity or violation of law which they
believe may have been committed by the EB or by any person present.
( Must be recorded in the Minutes).
- Example: instruct any person belonging to any party to arrange the
sequence of the voters ( EB must be non-partisan).
Giving number to the voters to determine their sequence of voting
is strictly prohibited.
F. Obtain from the EB a certificate as to the filing of such protest and/
or Resolution thereof.
REMINDERS:
1. There is violation if Electoral Board allowed to vote someone without
proper documentation or registration. Voter’s name should be in the
EDCVL ( Election Day Computerized Voter’s List), which is in the possession
of the EB, even if the name of the voter is in the PCVL ( Precinct
Computerized Voter’s List), which is posted near the door or on the door
itself.
2. See to it that after a person has voted , Indelible ink has been applied in
right forefinger nail or any other finger if there is no forefinger.
3. EB must give the VVPAT ( Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail), it is like a
receipt, to the voter for review. The EB shall ensure that only the voter
can read the VVPAT and voter must not show to anyone. Afterwards,
VVPAT must be drop in the VVPAT receptacle.
4. Rejected Ballots: Ballots may be rejected by the VCM during scanning.
( 3 ) different types of messages when the VCM rejects a ballot.
a. Misread Ballots
b. Previously
c. Invalid Ballot
( No replacement ballot shall be issued to a voter whose ballot is rejected
by the VCM except if the rejection of the ballot is not due to the fault of
the voter ).
5. Ballot box shall remain locked during the voting. However, if it should
become necessary to make room for more ballots, the EB shall, in the
presence of the watchers :
a. Remove the VCM from the top of the ballot box, and shake the ballot box,
to make room for the ballots.
b. If still the ballot cannot go through the ballot box, the ballot may be
opened. The chairperson shall press down the ballots contained therein
without removing any of them, after which the EB shall close the ballot box
by sealing it.
( Such fact must be recorded in the Minutes ).
6. A voter which is PWD, illiterate or Senior Citizen, such fact must be
indicated in the EDCVL, if not, such PWD, illiterate, or SC is not allowed to
be assisted in the preparation of the ballot by a family member, or person of
his confidence who belongs to the same household or member of the BEI.
( The person assisting must bind themselves in writing and under oath.
7. There is violation if the EB announce whether a certain voter has voted or
not, also announcing the percentage or number of voter that has voted.
8. Only the Chairperson shall issue the official ballot and not more than one
ballot shall be issued at one time.