Introducing the VCM

A Presentation Guide to Introducing the Vote Counting Machines to the

Electorate

Presentors Name
Presentation Details (Date, Venue, Organization
being addressed)

TRAINING OBJECTIVES
To identify the different parts,
features and functions of the VCM
(Vote Counting Machine)
To familiarize the participants with
the operation of the VCM on Election
Day, including the proper use of the
ballots
To identify and understand basic
VCM error messages

COURSE OUTLINE
Chapter 1: The VCM (Vote Counting Machine)
I.

About the machine

I.

PCOS vs VCM

II.

Security Features

II. Machine characteristics

III. Parts
I.

On-screen Icons

IV. Components and Peripherals

Chapter 2: Using the VCM

I. Open Voting
II. Filling up the ballot
III. Ballot Casting
I.

On-screen Verification

IV. Error Messages

V. Close Voting

18 Regions
81 Provinces
235 Districts
144 Cities
1,490 Municipalities
42,036 Barangays
36,788 Voting Centers
Maximum of 800 voters per
precinct
95,317 VCM

CHAPTER 1

ABOUT THE VCM

VS
Monitor is smaller (4.72) and black & white Monitor (colored 7) allows voter
verification of votes
120 mHz processor, 128-bit security 1gHz processor; 256-bit security
Uses CF cards that can be easy to disable Uses SD cards that are more robust
Non-simultaneous saving of data

Simultaneous saving; data corruption

less likely

Small external battery pack with an 8-hour Larger spare battery with a 14-hour
life capacity

ABOUT THE VCM

No
self-diagnostic
lens Self-diagnostic lens prevents digital
PCOS
V. VCM
lines

 Precinct information
programmed into
machine: location, no.
of voters, etc.
A word about security

ABOUT THE VCM

SECURITY FEATURES

Uses Passwords &

PINs;
3 digital
signatures; and
256-bit Encryption

 Ballot scans both sides

simultaneously
Ballots are identified by
the machine (precinct
specific) and are
rejected if:
Fake/Photocopied/Duplic
ate;
previously inserted or
scanned;
for another different
precinct;
ABOUT THE VCM SECURITY FEATURES
contains ambiguous

A word about the ballots

Appx 19 in length (NonARMM)
Uses UV & barcode
security;
Every ballot is unique

VOTE COUNTING MACHINE

ACCURATE

FAST

VERIFIABL
E

ACCESSIBL
E
TRANSPAR
ENT

SECURE
PRACTICAL
ABOUT THE VCM

CHARACTERISTICS

Cast
Button

LCD
Screen

Return
Button

Liquid Crystal Display

(LCD) Screen
- an 8 diagonal viewing
area and touch screen
capability for data and
system navigation input
purposes.

Cast Button

- has a check mark used

to cast ballots.

Return Button
Ballot
Entry
Slot

- has an X mark used to

return ballots.

Ballot Entry Slot

- ballots are inserted
and/or returned here

ABOUT THE VCM

PARTS OF THE VCM

iButton
Recepta
cle

iButton Receptacle
- contact point for the
Security Key.

Thermal Paper
Compartment
- designed to allow easy
loading and reloading of
the thermal paper.

Headphones Plug
- used for audio review.

ABOUT THE VCM

PARTS

Headpho
nes
Plug

Thermal
Paper
Compartm
ent

Ethernet Port
A port on the right-hand side of the
machine. It is used for connecting the
external device for results
transmission.
Main Data

SD

Card Slot
ABOUT THE VCM

PARTS

This is where the removable

OF
THE
VCM
main
data
SD card is
inserted.

Backup Data SD
Card Slot
This is where the removable
backup data SD card is inserted.

Power Button DC Port

Backup Battery Port
This is where the backup battery is
plugged in.

ABOUT THE VCM

PARTS OF THE VCM

USB Slots

Turn the VCM On/Off.

Power
supply

Where the USB

transmission device must
be inserted.

THESE FEATURES
WILL
NOT BE USED
IN THE 2016
ELECTIONS

Manual Transmission
Device
Used for transmission devices that
are powered by the machine.
Voters

Use Indicator
A light indicator showing if a machine is being
used or not.

Information Unit
ABOUT THE VCM

biometrics
PARTSFor
OFa THE
VCM checking unit

BATTERY ICON
Connected to:

Machine state: Not open ;

Open ; Closed

Date &
Time

Battery +
adaptor
Adaptor only
Battery only

Precinct
Code

Ballot
Counter

ABOUT THE VCM

PARTS OF THE VCM / ON-SCREEN ICONS

iButton
The VCM is activated
by the iButton when it
makes contact with
the iButton
receptacle.

ABOUT THE VCM

SD Cards
Main and backup SD
cards are used for
data storage.

COMPONENTS AND PERIPHERALS

Thermal
Paper
Paper used for
printing; loaded in the
thermal paper
compartment.

Battery
must be connected to
the machine, in case
of power disruption.

ABOUT
CHAPTER
THE VCM1

Headphon
es
used for audio
purposes.

COMPONENTS AND PERIPHERALS

Cleaning
sheet
used to clean VCM
scanners.

Ballot Box
translucent box for
valid ballots.

ABOUT
CHAPTER
THE VCM1

Top cover
covers the ballot box,
where the VCM is
installed.

COMPONENTS AND PERIPHERALS

Inner Bin
translucent bin
inserted in the ballot
box used to collect
diverted ballots.

Backup
Battery
cable
color coded cables
used to connect the
machine to the backup
battery.

VCM Adaptor
connected to the power cord
and prevents power surge.

Power Cord
connected to the adaptor
and a power outlet.

ABOUT
CHAPTER
THE VCM1

COMPONENTS AND PERIPHERALS

USB
Modem

Broadband
Global Area
Network
(BGAN)

ABOUT
CHAPTER
THE VCM1

COMPONENTS AND PERIPHERALS

iSavi
Portable satellite
terminal

CHAPTER 1

1.What does VCM stand for?

2.What do you think are the most
important differences between the
PCOS and the VCM?
3.What do you need to do, in order to
activate the Administration Panel of
the VCM?
4.How many digital signatures do you
need, in order to start counting, to
print the election returns, and to
transmit results?
ABOUT THE5.What
VCM
is the use of the UV marking

COURSE OUTLINE
Chapter 1: The VCM (Vote Counting Machine)
I. About the machine
II. Machine characteristics
III. Parts
I.

On-screen Icons

IV. Components and Peripherals

Chapter 2: Using the VCM

I. Open Voting
II. Filling up the ballot
III. Ballot Casting
I.

On-screen Verification

IV. Error Messages

V. Close Voting

CHAPTER 2

USING THE VCM

1. The BEI Chairman taps the iButton security key for authentication.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

2. Select Chairman as your role.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

3. Enter the correct PIN to access the ADMINISTRATION MENU.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

4. Select Election from the menu, then tap Open Voting.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

5. Re-enter the correct PIN.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

6. When the PIN is accepted, the VCM will save and print the
Initialization Report.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

7. The Initialization Report will show ZERO votes for all candidates.

Note:
The Initialization
Report contains spaces
for BEI signatures and
thumb prints.
All copies of the
initialization report
must be signed and
thumbprints should be
affixed.
USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

8. State changes to OPEN; Display indicates that THE ELECTION IS

NOW OPEN.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

9. Click on Back.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

10. Please Insert Ballot will be displayed on-screen. Voting can

now begin.

USING THE VCM

OPEN VOTING

USING THE VCM

1.When the VCM is turned on, it is

ready to accept ballots right away.
True or False?
2.If the Chairman is unavailable, can
either of the other two members of
the BEI, acting alone, open the
machine?
3. When the Chairman correctly enters
his PIN for the second time, the VCM
still wont be ready to accept ballots.
True or False?
OPEN VOTING
4.What is an initialization report?

STEPS IN VOTING
1.

Look for your name in the Precinct

Computerized Voters List (PCVL) posted near
the door of the polling place, and determine
your precinct number and sequence number.

2. Approach any member of the Board

of Election Inspectors (BEI) and the
Book of Voters. The BEI will verify your
identity and check if any of your
fingernails have already been stained
with indelible ink.

STEPS IN VOTING
3. After the voters identity has been
established by the BEI, the voter will
affix his/her signature in the EDCVL or
Election Day Certified Voters List.

4. The BEI will give the voter a ballot,

ballot secrecy folder and marking pen
and direct the voter to fill-up the
ballot in the designated voting area.

The ovals
must be fully
shaded.
Incompletely
shaded ovals
will be either
misread or
not read by
the VCM at
all.
USING THE VCM

FILLING UP THE BALLOT

Oval spaces what voters shade when indicating their vote.

Make sure the ovals are FULLY shaded. Use the Marking Pens provided.
USING THE VCM

FILLING UP THE BALLOT

When you mark your choices this way, YOUR VOTES WILL NOT BE COUNTED.

RIZAL, Jose

Make sure the ovals are FULLY shaded. Use the Marking Pens provided.
USING THE VCM

FILLING UP THE BALLOT

Ballot should
be inserted
gently into
the ballot
entry slot.
Note that the
ballot can be
inserted in
any of four
orientations
(EXCEPT
SIDEWAYS, OF
COURSE
:D) BALLOT CASTING
USING THE VCM

The voter can

review the
scanned
ballot on the
LCD screen.
This is called
On-Screen
Verification.

USING THE VCM

BALLOT CASTING

A voter has
15 seconds to
check his
vote. After 15
seconds, the
VCM will
automatically
cast the
ballot.
USING THE VCM

BALLOT CASTING / ONSCREEN VERIFICATION

AMBIGUOUS
MARK warnings
occur when the
VCM detects an
unclear mark.
Possible Reasons:
1. Too lightly marked;
must be darkened to
be clearly counted.
2. Inadvertently made
small marks in an
oval. Voter ntent, not
clear.

USING THE VCM

BALLOT CASTING / ONSCREEN VERIFICATION

If the voter has

for fewer than
the number
expected for a
given contest,
this is called an
UNDERVOTE.

USING THE VCM

BALLOT CASTING / ONSCREEN VERIFICATION

When the voter

has voted for
more than the
maximum
number of
votes allowed
for a given
contest.

USING THE VCM

VOTES CAST
FOR
OVERVOTED
POSITIONS
WILL NOT BE
COUNTED.

BALLOT CASTING / ONSCREEN VERIFICATION

Press the
GREEN button
to cast the
ballot; press
the RED
button to get
the ballot
back.

USING THE VCM

BALLOT CASTING

USING THE VCM

1.Filling up the ballot is like Lotto. True

or False?
2.If I vote for more than what is
expected, the VCM will count only
the first marks I made, and ignore
the overvote. True or False?
3.If I accept an ambiguous mark, the
VCM will count it as a vote. True or
False?
4.I can take as much time as I want
reviewing my ballot using onscreen
FILLING UP THE
BALLOT / BALLOT
CASTING
/ ONSCREEN VERIFICATION
verification.
True
or False?

A MISREAD
The scanner self diagnostic has
failed.

warning means
that VCM has not
recognized the
ballot.
Possible reasons:

The paper inserted was misread.

Please verify the ballot and
refeed.

USING THE VCM

ERROR MESSAGES

The ballot is
physically damaged
(torn, folded,
crumpled or
stained with water)
The voter has made
markings that
obstruct certain
identifying marks.

PAPER JAMS
or ballot
blockages are
rare events but
can occur. The
error message
saying Paper
Jam Detected
will be
displayed on
the screen in
this situation.
USING THE VCM

ERROR MESSAGES

An INVALID
BALLOT is a
ballot that
belongs to a
different
clustered
precinct. The
VCM is
designed to
accept only the
ballots
assigned to it.
USING THE VCM

ERROR MESSAGES

PREVIOUSLY
SCANNED
BALLOT

USING THE VCM

ERROR MESSAGES

A warning
message
displays when
the VCM
detects a ballot
that has
already been
scanned. No
votes will be
counted for the
ballot.

A FAKE
BALLOT can be
detected when
the scanner
doesn't detect
a ultra-violet
(UV) mark on
the ballot,
and/or when
the ballot has a
different type of
bar code than
the one
specified for
the
election.
USING
THE VCM ERROR MESSAGES

USING THE VCM

1.A Misread Ballot warning means

the VCM is malfunctioning. True or
False?
2.What should you do if the VCM
detects an ambiguous mark?
3.You can correct an ambiguous mark,
but not an over vote. True or False?
4.If the ballots for one precinct are
mistakenly delivered to another
precinct? Can they still be used? Why
or why not?
ERROR MESSAGES
5.You can always ask for a new ballot.

1. Insert USB Modem that will be used for transmission

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

2. The BEI Chairman shall then tap the iButton key to access the
Admin Menu

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

3. Click on CHAIRMAN; then enter the correct PIN to access the

Admin Menu

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

4. Choose ELECTION from the menu; click on CLOSE VOTING; reenter PIN

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

5. Press OK; tap the iButton; enter the correct digital signature.

6. Repeat the process for the 2nd BEI member.

7. Repeat the process for the 3rd BEI member.

8. Machine state will change to CLOSED.

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

9. The VCM will print the intial (8) copies of the Election Returns.

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

10. The VCM will check the network signals

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

11. Once the network has been established, the VCM transmits to
the KBP Server.

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

12. The VCM will transmit to the Central Server

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

13. After completing transmission to MBOC, VCM will save & print
the Transmission Report.

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

Congress

COMELEC

National Board of
Canvassers

Physical
transport

COMELEC CENTRAL
SERVER

Prov. COC and SOVP

Provincial Board of
Canvassers

Physical
transport
Mun./City COC and SOVP

Municipal/City
Board of Canvassers

Physical
transport
Election Returns

Precinct

Dominant Majority
Dominant Minority

14. The VCM will print additional copies of the Election Returns

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

15. After printing, the VCM will verify that the automated close
voting process is complete.

USING THE VCM

CLOSE VOTING

SHUTDOWN: Go to Utilities, select Shutdown, and tap OK.

USING THE VCM

SHUTDOWN

USING THE VCM

1.How many BEI digital signatures does

it take to close the VCM?
2.What are the three things that
happen when you successfully close
the VCM?
3.How do the BEI receive their digital
signatures?
4.How many copies of election returns,
in total, will the VCM print out?
5.All copies of the election returns will
be distributed to various parties. True
CLOSE VOTING
or false?

Thank you.
A Presentation Guide to Introducing the Vote Counting Machines to the
Electorate