REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
Intramuros, Manila

VOTE COUNTING MACHINE ABAS, Sheriff M. Chairman

(VCM) OPERATION GUANZON, Ma. Rowena Commissioner
PROCEDURES FOR FINAL Amelia V.
TESTING AND SEALING INTING, Socorro B. Commissioner
(FTS); ELECTION DAY AND CASQUEJO, Marlon S. Commissioner
TRANSMISSION OF KHO, Antonio T. Jr. Commissioner
ELECTION RESULTS IN FEROLINO, Aimee P. Commissioner
CONNECTION WITH THE 09 BULAY, Rey E. Commissioner
MAY 2022 NATIONAL AND
LOCAL ELECTIONS.
X----------------------------· --------- X

PROMULGATED: JANUARY 12, 2022

RESOLUTION NO. 10754

WHEREAS, by virtue of Republic Act No. 9369, the Commission on

Elections has resolved to adopt a paper-based Automated Election
System (AES) in connection with the May 9, 2022 National and Local
Elections, by using Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) in the voting,
counting and transmission of election results from the precinct level,
an.d the Consolidation Canvassing System (CCS) in the
canvassing/consolidation of the electronically transmitted election
results from the precinct and city/municipal/district/provincial
board of canvassers;

WHEREAS, on November 10, 2021, the Commission promulgated

Resolution No. 10727, otherwise known as "General Instructions for
the Constitution, Composition and Appointment of the Electoral

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Boards; the Process of Final Testing and Sealing of the Vote Counting
Machines; and the Voting, Counting and Transmission of the
Election Results in Connection with the 09 May 2022 National and
Local Elections";

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the

Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 9369,
and other election laws, the Commission HEREBY RESOLVES to
promulgate, the following VCM Operation Procedures for (A) Final
Testing and Sealing (FTS) (B) Election Day and (C) Transmission
of Election Results in connection with the 09 May 2022 National
and Local Elections.

SEC. 1. Scope. - This VCM Operation Procedures shall

supplement COMELEC Resolution No. 10727 dated November 10,
2022 or otherwise known as "General Instructions for the
Constitution, Composition and Appointment of the Electoral Boards;
the Process of Final Testing and Sealing of the Vote Counting
Machines; and the Voting, Counting and Transmission of the
Election Results in Connection with the 09 May 2022 National and
Local Elections".

SEC. 2. Final Testing and Sealing of Vote Counting

Machine (VCM). The following procedures shall be followed during
the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) of the VCM.

I. FINAL TESTING AND SEALING OF THE VCM

1. Retrieve the VCM fron1 its box.

2. Show to the public that the VCM slots labeled "A" and
"B", where the main and back-up SD cards are
individually stored, are sealed. These slots shall
remain sealed throughout the FTS procedure.

3. Place the VCM properly on top of the ballot box.

4. Open the thermal paper printer cover and ensure

that the roll of official thermal paper is properly
installed.

5. Close the thermal paper printer cover.

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6. Retrieve the battery cables inside the VCM box,
connect the cables to the battery and connect the
other end of the battery cable to the VCM DC power
port.

7. Connect the power adaptor to the AC power port of

the VCM and plug the other end of the adaptor to the
electrical outlet.

8. Turn on the VCM to display the Device Information

and the Home screen.

9. Check the Date and Time at the top-left corner of the

screen. If the date and/or time is incorrect, perform
the following procedures:

a. The EB Chairperson shall place his/her iButton

on top of the iButton security key receptacle and
apply a slight pressure thereon.

b. A message "SELECT THE PROFILE TO

AUTHENTICATE" and the role of the EBs will be
displayed on the screen;

c. Select CHAIRPERSON 1 profile. The VCM will

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display the message "INPUT YOUR PIN 1 Enter the

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role PIN of the EB Chairperson.

d. From the Election menu, select the "UTILITIES'

option and choose "CHANGE SYSTEM DATE AND
TIME'.

e. The system will display message "INPUT PIN FOR

EB CHAIRPERSON TO CONFIRM THE EXECUTION
OF CHANGE SYSTEM DATE AND TIME'. Enter the
role PIN of the EB Chairperson.

f. The screen, to change the date and time, will

display with CANCEL and CHANGE button. Press
the DOWN or UP arrows to adjust the date and
time.

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g. Press the "CHANGE' button. A message pro1npt,

"CHANGE DATE AND TIME COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY.", will appear with DONE button.

h. Press DONE button to return to the UTILITIES

sub-menu.

1. Press X mark 1n the bottom left corner of the

screen to return to the Election menu.

10. The certified IT-capable EB member shall perfonn the

following VCM DIAGNOSTIC procedures:

a. From the Election menu, select "DIAGNOSTICS'

option;

b. The VCM will display the "DIAGNOSTICS' Menu.

Click the rounded-arrow button to scroll down the
screen. Select "RUN ALL" option; and

c. After choosing "RUN ALL", the VCM will then

display the message "AUDIO DIAGNOSTIC' test for
speaker and headphone tests.

• To test the VCM speaker: The VCM will display

"PLAYING SOUNDS... " and automatically play
sounds on the VCM speaker.

■ The VCM will display the message "DID YOU

HEAR THE SOUNDS?' with "YES' and "NO"
buttons. Press "YES' if you heard the sounds,
or "NO" if you did not.

• After checking the speaker, the VCM will test

the audio for headphone: If the headphone is
connected, the VCM will automatically display
"PLAYING SOUNDS ... "

■ The VCM will display the message "DID YOU

HEAR THE SOUNDS THROUGH THE
HEADPHONE?'' with "YES' and "NO" buttons.

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 Press "YES" if you heard the sounds, or "NO"
if you did not.

■ If the headphone is not connected, the VCM

will display the message "CHECKING
HEADPHONE CONNECTION... TI-IE
HEADPHONES ARE DISCONNECTED.
CONNECT THEM." Connect the headset to the
audio port or press the "THE HEADPHONE
JACK MARKED AS DEFECTIVE".

■ The VCM will automatically play the sounds

displaying the message "PLAYING SOUNDS
"

■ The VCM will display the message "DID YOU

HEAR THE SOUNDS THROUGH THE
HEADPHONES?' with "YES' and "NO'
buttons. Press "YES' if you heard the sounds,
or "NO' if you did not.

d. The VCM will automatically proceed to the screen

of testing the CAST and RETURN Buttons.
■ The VCM will display the message "PLEASE
PRESS THE CAST BUTTON'. Press the GREEN
BUTTON with "✓", located on the right side of
the screen.

■ The VCM will display the message "PLEASE

PRESS THE RETURN BUTTON'. Press the RED
BUTTON with "X" located on the right side of
the screen.

e. The VCM will automatically perform the

ETHERNET DIAGNOSTIC. It will display the
message "DETECTING NETWORK INTERFACES ...
PLEASE MAKE SURE THE NETWORKING CABLE
OR MODEM DEVICE IS CONNECTED". Plug in the
ethernet cable or press "MARK DIAGNOSTIC AS
FAILED' if modem will be used for transmission.

NOTE: This applies to areas using BGAN as

transmission device.
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..
f. After testing the ethernet, . TRANSMISSION
DIAGNOSTICS shall now be performed by the
VCM. It will display the message "PLEASE INSERT
THE GSM TRANSMISSION DEVICE". The following
messages shall appear in this sequence:

• "TRANSMITTING THE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE

TO THE CENTRAL: CENTRAL SERVER
(ATTEMPT 1 OF 2J'.

■ If the first transmission attempt failed, it will

display the message, "DIAGNOSTIC
TRANSMISSION ATTEMPT TO CENTRAL:
CENTRAL SERVER FAILED. THE
CONNECTION TO THE SERVER COULD .NOT
BE ESTABLISHED." The VCM will
automatically re-transmit to the Central
Server with message "TRANSMITTING THE
DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE TO CENTRAL:
CENTRAL SERVER (ATTEMPT(2 OF 2))."

• If TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTICS 1s
successful, the message will be displayed:
"THE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE WAS
SUCCESSFULLY TRANSMITTED TO THE
CENTRAL: CENTRAL SERVER."

■ Afterwards, the message will be displayed

"PLEASE REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION
DEVICE'.

g. The VCM will automatically proceed to the

PRINTER DIAGNOSTIC. At this point, the VCM will
display the message "PRINTING IMAGE" while
simultaneously printing the image on the thermal
paper. The image to be printed is also displayed
on the VCM screen.

After printing the image, the VCM will display the

message "WAS THE IMAGE PRINTED
CORRECTLY?" with "YES' and "NO" buttons.
Press "YES' if it was correctly printed, or "NO" if it
was not.
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h. The VCM shall now perform the POWER
DIAGNOSTIC.

■ The message "TESTING BATTERY'S CHARGER

CONNECTION... PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT
THE BATTERY IS CONNECTED AND T�IEN
DISCONNECT THE POWER CORD" will be
displayed. Connect the Battery to the VCM
battery port.

■ The message "PLEASE DISCONNECT TI-IE

POWER CORIJ' will then be displayed.
Disconnect the power cord, after which the
message "THE POWER CORD IS
DISCONNECTEIJ' will be displayed.

■ The message "PLEASE CONNECT TI-IE POWER

CORIJ' will be displayed. Connect the power
cord, then the message "THE POWER CORD IS
CONNECTED" will be displayed.

1. The VCM will then proceed to the TOUCHSCREEN

DIAGNOSTIC with the following instructions:

■ "PRESS THE MARK ON TOP-LEFT CORNER."

Press the blinking circle on the screen.

■ "PRESS THE MARK ON TOP-RIGHT CORNER."

Press the blinking circle on the screen.

■ "PRESS THE MARK ON BOTTOM-RIGHT

CORNER." Press the blinking circle on the
screen.

■ "PRESS THE MARK ON BOTTOM-LEFT

CORNER." Press the blinking circle on the
screen.

J. The VCM will now proceed to SCANNER

DIAGNOSTIC, and displays the message
"CONNECTING TO THE SCANNER DEVICE.
PLEASE WAIT...". Wait for the VCM to display the

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message, "PLEASE INSERT THE DIAGNOSTIC

BALLOT'.

• Insert one ( 1) FTS ballot.

■ The screen will display "PROCESSING THE

FRONT FACE' and then "PROCESSING THE
BACK FACE'.

■ The VCM screen will display the images of

both sides of the ballot. The first image to be
displayed shall be based on which side of the
ballot was facing upward when inserted.

■ Press "NEXT' button to see the other side of

the ballot image.

• Press the "PREVIOUS' button to return to

return to the first ballot image.

• Press "+" button to zoom-in the image. To

navigate the screen, press the screen and
move your finger up or down to view the top
or bottom of the ballot image.

■ Press "-" button to zoom-out the image.

• Press "BACK' button to continue with the test.

• The VCM will display the message "DO THE

IMAGES CORRESPOND TO THE PHYSICAL
BALLOT?" with "YES" and "NO" options. Press
"YES" if the images correspond to the physical
ballot, or "NO" if it does not correspond.

• If the scanner passed all of the foregoing tests,

the VCM will display the message "SCANNER
DIAGNOSTIC WAS SUCCESSFUL".

• The VCM will now automatically return to the

"VCM DIAGNOSTIC" screen and display "✓"
on "Scanner."

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 ■ If no FTS ballot inserted, the VCM will display
the message, "SCANNER DIAGNOSTIC
COULD NOT BE COMPLETED. THE
SCANNER REPORTS ITSELF AS IN ERROR
STATE" with DONE button.

k. The VCM will now proceed to !BUTTON

DIAGNOSTIC.

■ The message will display "PLEASE INSERT

THE IBUTTON'.

■ The Chairperson will place his/her iButton

security key on top of the iButton security key
receptacle and will then display message "THE
!BUTTON HAS BEEN DETECTED
SUCCESSFULLY."

1. The VCM will now display the message "USB

PORTS DIAGNOSTIC' with the following
instructions:

■ "INSERT THE USB DEVICE IN THE UPPER

PORT. IF THERE ARE ANY USB DEVICES
ALREADY INSERTED, REMOVE THEM'.
PRESS HERE IF USB IS NOT DETECTED".

■ Insert USB in the upper USB port. If the USB

is not detected by the VCM, press the button
PRESS HERE IF USB IS NOT DETECTED''

■ The VCM will then display the message

"PLEASE REMOVE THE USB DEVICE FROM
THE UPPER PORT', with the Serial Number.

11 The VCM will then display the message

"INSERT THE USB DEVICE IN THE LOWER
PORT. IF THERE ARE ANY USB DEVICES
ALREADY INSERTED, REMOVE THEM'.
"PRESS HERE IF USB IS NOT DETECTED''

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 • Insert USB in the lower USB port. If the USB
is not detected by the VCM, press the button
PRESS HERE IF USB IS NOT DETECTED'

• The VCM will then display the message

"PLEASE REMOVE THE USB DEVICE FROM
THE LOWER PORT', with the Serial Number.

m.The VCM will proceed to the SD MEMORY

DIAGNOSTIC with message "ALL THE REQUIRED
STORAGE DEVICES WERE DETECTED." After
which it will check and display the detected SD
specifications: Serial Number, Total Size, Free
Space, Write Speed and Read Speed.

n. After all the components have been tested, the

VCM will automatically print the Diagnostic
Report. The messages "PRINT DIAGNOSTIC
REPORT' and "GENERATING THE REPORT.. .
SAVING THE REPORT... PRINTING THE REPORT... "
will be displayed on the screen while
simultaneously printing the report.

o. Detach the printed diagnostic report and place the

same inside the envelope (Al 7- TS) provided for
the purpose.

p. After printing the diagnostic report, if some tests

were skipped or unsuccessful, the VCM shall
display the messages:

• "SOME ACTIVITIES WERE NOT COMPLETED

SUCCESSFULLY."

• UNSUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES: [NO. OF

UNSUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES}

• SKIPPED ACTIVITIES: [NO. OF SKIPPED

ACTIVITIES' with DONE button. Click the
DONE button to return to the DIAGNOSTICS
MENU.
 UNSUCCESSFUL ACTIVITIES refer to "Failed"
status on the printed Diagnostic Report, and
SKIPPED ACTIVITIES refer to "Not Executed".

• Press the DONE button to go back to the

Diagnostics Menu.

q. Click the "X" button in the bottom-left part of the

screen to return to the Election Menu.

11. The IT-capable EB member will then select "OPEN

VOTING". The VCM will display the message "INPUT
PIN FOR EB CHAIRPERSON TO CONFIRM THE
EXECUTION OF OPEN VOTING". Enter the authorized
password/pin of the CHAIRMAN. The VCM will
display the registration of the EB Poll Workers.

a. To enroll the name of the assigned EB

Chairperson:

■ Press "ASSIGN' button beside the EB

Chairperson. The VCM will display "PLEASE
ENTER THE EB CHAIRPERSON NAME'.

• Enter the EB Chairperson's name and press

"ASSIGN' button.

b. To enroll the name of the assigned EB Poll Clerk:

■ Press "ASSIGN' button · beside the EB Poll

Clerk. The VCM will display "PLEASE ENTER
THE EB POLL CLERK NAME'

• Enter EB Poll Clerk's name and press

"ASSIGN' button.

c. To enroll the name of the assigned EB Third

Member:

■ Press "ASSIGN' button beside the EB Third

Member. The VCM will display "PLEASE
ENTER THE EB THIRD MEMBER NAME'

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 • Enter EB Third Member's name and press
"ASSIGN' button.

d. To replace the registered name, press "REMOVE'

button corresponding to the EB name.

e. Press on the "ASSIGN' button to input the new EB

information.

f. Press the check mark(✓) at the bottom-right of the

screen to automatically print the Initialization
Report.

12. The messages "OPEN POLLS' and "GENERATING THE

REPORT... SAVING THE REPORT... PRINTING
REPORT... " will appear on the screen while
simultaneously printing the Initialization Report. The
report will show Zero (0) vote for each candidate
including the graphic information (District/Province,
City/Municipality, Barangay, voting center,
precincts in a cluster), machine ID, clustered
precinct ID, VCM status, number of registered voters,
number of voters who actually voted, and number of
valid ballots cast.

13. After printing the Initialization Report, the VCM will

display the message "OPEN POLLS COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY''; "THE DEVICE STATE HAS BEEN
UPDATED" with DONE button. Press DONE button.

14. Detach the Initialization Report. The Chairperson,

Poll Clerk, Third Member, and including the
representatives of the political parties, candidates, or
citizens' arms present, shall affix their signatures
thereon. Place the Initialization Report in the
envelope (Al 7-TS) provided for the purpose.

15. From the Election Menu, press the "GO TO VOTING"

button. The VCM will print the STATUS REPORT and
will then display the message, "GO TO VOTING
COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY."; "VOTING HAS BEEN

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 ENABLED ON THIS DEVICE." with DONE button.
Press "DONE" button.

16. The VCM is now ready to accept ballots. At this time,

the VCM screen will display the message "TO GET
STARTED, INSERT ONE BALLOT AT A TIME, IN ANY
ORIENTATION INTO THE SCANNER SLOT'.

1 7. Ensure that the INSERT BALLOT screen displays the

following details:

a. The VCM shall interpret the ballot. The message

"YOUR BALLOT IS BEING PROCESSED" will be
displayed on the screen.

b. After processing, the VCM will display the

following messages: "YOUR VOTE IS BEING CAST.
PLEASE WAIT'. Another message will be displayed
"YOUR VOTE IS BEING PRINTED" while
simultaneously printing the voter's receipt.

c. The messages, "DEPOSITING THE BALLOT IN THE

BOX' and "YOUR VOTE HAS BEEN CAST. THANK
YOU FOR VOTING" will be displayed in the screen
respectively.

18. After the ten (10) voters have cast their votes, perform
CLOSE VOTING with the following procedures:

a. The Poll Clerk will place his/her iButton security

key on top of the iButton security key receptacle,
apply slight pressure thereto, after which the VCM
will display message "SELECT THE PROFILE TO
AUTHENTICATE";

b. Select "EB MEMBERS'. The VCM will display the

message "SELECT THE USER TO AUTHENTICATE"
with "EB POLL CLERK' and "EB THIRD MEMBER"
options.

• Select "EB POLL CLERK'.

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■ The VCM will display the message "INPUT

YOUR PIN 1 •

■ Enter the role PIN of EB Poll Clerk. A message

"THE USER EB POLL CLERK WAS
AUTHENTICATED SUCCESSFULLY" appears
on the screen and the VCM will return to the
previous display - "SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE".

■ Select EB THIRD MEMBER"

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• The VCM displays INPUT YOUR PIN'. Enter

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the role PIN of EB Third Member.

19. The VCM shall then display the ELECTION MENU.

From the ELECTION MENU, choose the option
II
CLOSE VOTING' 1 •

20. After choosing Close Voting, the VCM shall display

the message "INPUT PIN FOR EB POLL CLERK TO
CONFIRM THE EXECUTION OF CLOSE VOTING1 '. After
successfully inputting the role PIN for EB Poll Clerk,
the VCM will display the message "INPUT PIN FOR EB
THIRD MEMBER TO CONFIRM EXECUTION OF
CLOSE VOTING". Input the role PIN of the EB Third
Member.

21. The screen to add signatures to the election results

will prompt with message "Press NEXT TO ADD A
SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION RESULTS.
(REQUIRED SIGNATURES: [NO. OF SIGNATURESt
along with DIGITAL SIGNATURES ALREADY
ADDED: 0 and the NEXT button. The Chairperson
shall press "NEXT'.

a. The VCM will display the message "PLEASE

INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO BE
REGISTERED" with CANCEL button.

b. The CHAIRPERSON will place his/her iButton

with external certificate on top of the iButton

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 security key receptacle and apply pressure
thereon. The VCM will display message "READilVG
IBUITON... DON'T REMOVE THE IBUITON AND
PLEASE WAIT."

c. Wait until the VCM displays the message "PLEASE

INPUT THE IBUITON PIN'. The Chairperson shall
now enter his/her external digital signature
password.

d. The VCM shall thereafter display the message

"DIGITAL SIGNATURE SUCCESSFULLY ADDED".

e. The VCM shall again display the screen for adding

digital signature with message, "DO YOU WANT TO
ADD A SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION RESULT'S?
(REQUIRED SIGNATURES: [NO. OF SIGNATURES]"
along with the DIGITAL SIGNATURES ALREADY
ADDED: 1 and the "YES' and "NO" options. The EB
Poll Clerk shall press "YES'.

f. The VCM will display the message "PLEASE

INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO BE
REGISTERED" with CANCEL button.

g. The EB Poll Clerk will place his/her iButton with

external certificate on top of the iButton security
key receptacle and apply a slight pressure
thereon. The VCM shall display the message
"READING IBUITON... DON'T REMOVE THE
IBUITON AND PLEASE WAIT."

h. Wait until the VCM displays "PLEASE INPUT THE

IBUITON PIN'. The EB Poll Clerk shall now enter
his/her external digital signature password. The
VCM shall thereafter display the message
"DIGITAL SIGNATURE SUCCESSFULLY ADDED".

1. The VCM shall again display the screen for adding

digital signature with message, "DO YOU WANT TO
ADD A SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION RESULTS?
(REQUIRED SIGNATURES: [NO. OF SIGNATURES]"

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 along with the DIGITAL SIGNATURES ALREADY
ADDED: 2 and the" YES' and "NO'' options. The EB
Third Member shall press "YES'.

J. The VCM will display the message "PLEASE

INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO BE
REGISTERED" with CANCEL button.

k. The EB Third Member will place the iButton with

external certificate on top of the iButton security
key receptacle and apply pressure thereon. The
VCM will display "READING !BUTTON... DON'T
REMOVE THE !BUTTON AND PLEASE WAIT."

1. Wait until the VCM displays the message "PLEASE

INPUT THE !BUTTON PIN'. The EB Third Member
shall now enter his/her external digital signature
password.

22. The VCM displays the message, "CHANGING THE

VOTING MACHINE STATE TO CLOSED". The VCM
shall automatically print the eight (8) copies of the
NATIONAL returns and eight (8) copies of the LOCAL
returns. Detach the election returns and place them
in the envelope provided for the purpose.

23. After printing the eight (8) copies of National returns

and eight (8) copies of Local returns, the system will
display message "DO YOU WANT TO TRANSMIT THE
ELECTION RESULTS?' with "YES' or "NO" options.
Choose "NO".

NOTE: For purposes of FTS, no transmission of

election results will be performed.

24. The VCM will then print the twenty-two (22) copies of
National returns and twenty-two (22) copies of Local
returns.

NOTE: For the purpose of FTS, there will be NO

printing of additional 22 copies of ERs. To
CANCEL the printing perform the following
procedures;

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 a. Open the thermal printer cover and wait until the
VCM will display the message "THE REPORT
COULD NOT BE PRINTED. TO RETRY THE
PRINTING PROCESS, PRESS "RETRY" BUTTON.
TO CANCEL THE PRINTING PROCESS, PRESS
"SKIP" BUTTON."

b. Press "SKIP" button to cancel the printing of the

National Election Returns. Wait until the above
message will again be displayed.

c. Press "SKIP" button again to cancel the printing

of the Local Election Returns.

25. After skipping the printing of the twenty-two (22)

copies of the National returns and twenty-two (22)
copies of the Local returns, the VCM will
automatically print the STATISTICAL REPORT.

26. After printing the VCM Statistical Report, the system

will display message "CLOSE POLLS COMPLETED
WITH WARNINGS. THE REPORT COULD NOT BE
PRINTED. THERE IS NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE
FOR TALLY" with DONE button. Press DONE button
to return to the Election Menu.

27. The Chairperson shall now Re-Zero the VCM. From

the Election Menu, the Chairperson shall select
"UTILITIES' then choose the "RE-ZERO" option.

28. The message "INPUT PIN FOR RE-ZERO" will be

displayed on the screen. The Chairperson shall then
input the re-zero PIN.

29. The message, "YOU ARE ABOUT TO DELETE 10

BALLOTS. ARE YOU SURE TO PROCEED?' with YES
and NO buttons, press the YES button.

30. While the VCM is re-zeroing all data, it will display

the message "ENSURING THAT VOTE COUNTERS
ARE SET TO ZERO... "

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 31. The VCM shall then print the RE-ZERO REPORT.

32. After the printing of Re-zero Report, the message

"THE SYSTEM NEEDS TO SHUTDOWN. TO SHUT
DOWN THE SYSTEM PRESS THE 'OK' BUTTON. RE­
ZERO HAS BEEN COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY' will
be displayed. Press OK button to shut down the VCM.

SEC. 3. Election Day. The following procedures shall be

followed during Election Day for the VCM.

II. ELECTION DAY

1. Retrieve the VCM from its box.

2. Show to the public that the VCM slots labeled "A" and
"B', where the main and back-up SD cards are
individually stored, are sealed.

3. Place the VCM properly on top of the ballot box.

4. Open the thermal paper printer cover and ensure

that the roll of official thermal paper is properly
installed.

5. Close the thermal paper printer cover.

6. Retrieve the battery cables inside the VCM box,

connect the cables to the battery and connect the
other end of the battery cable to the VCM DC power
port.

7. Connect the power adaptor to the AC power port of

the VCM and plug the other end of the adaptor to the
electrical outlet;

8. Turn on the VCM to display the Device Information

and the Home screen.

9. Check the Date and Time at the top-left corner of the

screen. If the date and/ or time is incorrect, perform
the following procedures;

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 a. The EB Chairperson shall place his/her iButton
on top of the iButton security key receptacle and
apply a slight pressure thereon.

b. A n�essage"SELECT THE PROFILE TO

AUTHENTICATE" and the role of the EBs will be
displayed on the screen;

c. Select "CHAIRPERSON' profile. The VCM will

display the message "INPUT YOUR PIN'. Enter the
role PIN of the EB Chairperson.

d. From the Election Menu, select the "UTILITIES'

option and choose "CHANGE SYSTEM DATE AND
TIME'.

e. The system will display message "INPUT PIN FOR

EB CHAIRPERSON TO CONFIRM THE EXECUTTON
OF CHANGE SYSTEM DATE AND TIME'. Enter the
role PIN of the EB Chairperson.

f. The screen, to change the date and time, will

display with CANCEL and CHANGE button. Press
the DOWN or UP arrows to adjust the date and
time.

g. Press the "CHANGE' button to display message

"CHANGE DATE AND TIME COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY", with DONE button.

h. Press DONE button to return to UTILITIES sub­

menu.

1. Press "X" mark at the bottom-left of the screen to

return to the Election Menu.

10. The EB Chairperson will now perform the OPEN

voting process;

a. Select "OPEN VOTING". The VCM will display the

message "INPUT PIN FOR EB CHAIRPERSON TO

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I. I •• I<,

CONFIRM THE EXECUTION OF OPEN VOTING".

Enter the role PIN.

b. The VCM will display the registration of the EB

Poll Workers.

1. To enroll the name of the assigned EB

Chairperson:

• Press "ASSIGN' button beside the EB

Chairperson. The VCM will display
"PLEASE ENTER THE EB
CHAIRPERSON NAME'.

• Enter the EB Chairperson's name

and press "ASSIGN' button.

2. To enroll the name of the assigned EB

Poll Clerk;

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Press "ASSIGN' button beside the EB
Poll Clerk. The VCM will display
"PLEASE ENTER THE EB POLL
CLERK NAME'

• Enter the EB Poll Clerk's name and

press "ASSIGN' button.

3. To enroll the name of the assigned EB

Third Member;

• Press "ASSIGN' button beside the EB

Third Member. The VCM will display
"PLEASE ENTER THE EB THIRD
MEMBER NAME'

• Enter the EB Third Member's name

and press "ASSIGN' button.

4. To replace the registered name, press

"REMOVE' button to delete the
registered EB information.

20
 5. Press the check mark(✓) at the bottom­
right of the screen to automatically
print the Initialization Report.

c. The messages "OPEN POLLS' and "GENERATING

THE REPORT... SAVINO THE REPORT... PRINTING
REPORT..." will appear on the screen while
simultaneously printing the Initialization Report.
The report shall show Zero (0) vote for each
candidate including the graphic information
(District/Province, City/Municipality, Barangay,
voting center, precincts in a cluster), machine ID,
clustered precinct ID, VCM status, number of
registered voters, number of voters who actually
voted, and number of valid ballots cast.

d. After printing the Initialization Report, the VCM

will display the message "OPEN POLLS
COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY. THE DEVICE
STATE HAS BEEN UPDATED" with DONE button.
Press "DONE" button.

e. Detach the Initialization Report. The Chairperson,

Poll Clerk, Third Member, and including the
representatives of the political parties, candidates,
or citizens' arms present, shall affix their
signatures thereon. Place the Initialization Report
in the envelope(Al 7-TS) provided for the purpose.

f. From the Election Menu, press the "GO TO

VOTING" button. The VCM will print the STATUS
REPORT and will then display the n1.essage, "GO
TO VOTING COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY.";
I
IIVOTING HAS BEEN ENABLED ON THIS DEVICE. I

with DONE button. Press "DONE" button.

11. The VCM is now ready to accept ballots. At this time,

the VCM screen will display the message "TO GET
STARTED, INSERT ONE BALLOT AT A TIME, IN ANY
ORIENTATION INTO THE SCANNER SLOT'.

21
12. After the voter inserted the filled ballot in the ballot
entry slot, the VCM shall interpret the ballot.

a. The message II YOUR BALLOT IS BEING

PROCESSED" will be displayed on the screen.

b. After processing, the VCM will display the

following messages: 11 YOUR VOTE IS BEING CAST.
PLEASE WAIT'. Another message will be displayed
"YOUR VOTE IS BEING PRINTED" while
simultaneously printing the voter's receipt.

c. The messages, "DEPOSITING THE BALLOT IN THE

BOX' and "YOUR VOTE HAS BEEN CAST. THANK
YOU FOR VOTING" will be displayed in the screen
respectively.

13. After the end of the Election, the VCM is now ready
to CLOSE the voting by performing the following
procedures:

a. The Chairperson shall place his/her iButton

security key on top of the iButton security key
receptacle, apply slight pressure thereon, after
which the VCM will display message "SELECT THE
PROFILE TO AUTHENTICATE".

b. Select "EB MEMBERS' the VCM will then display

the message "SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE" with "EB POLL CLERE' and "EB
THIRD MEMBER" options.

1. Select "EB POLL CLERK".

2. The VCM will display the message

"INPUT YOUR PIN'.

3. Enter the role PIN of EB Poll Clerk. A

message "THE USER EB POLL CLERK
WAS AUTHENTICATED
SUCCESSFULLY" appears on the screen
and the VCM will return to the previous

22
 display - "SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE".

4. Select "EB THIRD MEMBER".

5. The VCM displays "INPUT YOUR PIN'.

Enter the role PIN of the EB Third
Member.

14. The VCM shall then display the Election Menu. Fro1n
the Election Menu, choose the option "CLOSE
VOTING".

15. After choosing Close Voting, the VCM shall display

the message "INPUT PIN FOR EB POLL CLERK TO
CONFIRM THE EXECUTION OF CLOSE VOTING". After
the successful input of the PIN for EB Poll Clerk, the
VCM will display the message "INPUT PIN FOR EB
THIRD MEMBER TO CONFIRM EXECUTION OF
CLOSE VOTING".

16. Input PIN for the EB Third member.

1 7. The VCM prompts to add signatures to the election

results. The screen will display "Press NEXT TO ADD
A SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION RESULTS.
(REQUIRED SIGNATURES: [NO. OF SIGNATURES]"
along with SIGNATURE ALREADY ADDED: 0 and the
NEXT button. The Chairperson shall press "NEXT'.

a. The VCM will display the message "PLEASE

INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO BE
REGISTERED" with CANCEL button.

b. The Chairperson will place his/her iButton with

external certificate on top of the iButton security
key receptacle and apply pressure thereon. The
VCM shall display the message "READING
!BUTTON... DON )T REMOVE THE !BUTTON AND
PLEASE WAIT."

c. Wait until the VCM displays the message "PLEASE

INPUT THE !BUTTON PIN'. The Chairperson shall
23
'• c..•

now enter his/her external digital signature

password.

d. The VCM shall thereafter display the message

"DIGITAL SIGNATURE SUCCESSFULLY ADDED".

e. The VCM shall again display the screen for adding

digital signature with message, "DO YOU WANT TO
ADD A SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION RESULTS?
(REQUIRED SIGNATURES: [NO. OF SIGNATURES}"
along with the DIGITAL SIGNATURES ALREADY
ADDED: 1 and the "YES' and ''NO" options. The EB
Poll Clerk shall press "YES'.

f. The VCM will display the message "PLEASE

INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO BE
REGISTERED" with CANCEL button.

g. The EB Poll Clerk will place his/her iButton with

external certificate on top of the iButton security
key receptacle and apply a slight pressure
thereon. The VCM shall display the message
"READING !BUTTON... DON'T REMOVE THE
!BUTTON AND PLEASE WAIT."

h. The EB Poll Clerk will place his/her iButton

external certificate on top of the iButton security
key receptacle and apply pressure thereon. The
VCM shall display the message "READING
!BUTTON... DON'T REMOVE THE !BUTTON AND
PLEASE WAIT."

1. Wait until the VCM displays "PLEASE INPUT THE

!BUTTON PIN'. The EB Poll Clerk shall now enter
his/her external digital signature password. The
VCM shall thereafter display the message
"DIGITAL SIGNATURE SUCCESSFULLY ADDED".

J. The VCM shall again display the screen for adding

digital signature with message, "DO YOU WANT TO
ADD A SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION RESULTS?
(REQUIRED SIGNATURES: [NO. OF SIGNATURES]"

24
 along with the DIGITAL SIGNATURE ALREADY
ADDED: 2 and the "YES' and "NO" options. The EB
Third Member shall press "YES'.

k. The VCM will display the message "PLEASE

INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO BE
REGISTERED" with CANCEL button.

1. The EB Third Member will place the iButton with

external certificate on top of the iButton security
key receptacle and apply pressure thereon. The
VCM will display "READING !BUTTON... DON'T
REMOVE THE !BUTTON AND PLEASE WAIT."

m. Wait until the VCM displays the message "PLEASE

INPUT THE !BUTTON PIN". The EB Third Member
shall now enter his/her external digital signature
password.

18. The VCM displays the message, "CHANGING THE

VOTING MACHINE STATE TO CLOSED". The VCM
shall automatically print the eight (8) copies of the
NATIONAL returns and eight (8) copies of the LOCAL
returns. Detach the election returns and place them
in the envelope provided for the purpose.

19. After printing the eight (8) copies of National returns

and eight (8) copies of Local returns, the system will
display message "DO YOU WANT TO TRANSMIT THE
ELECTION RESULTS?'' with "YES' or "NO" options.
Choose "YES'.

a. The VCM will display "PLEASE INSERT THE GSM

TRANSMISSION DEVICE".

b. If the transmission device allocated is BGAN,

press the ">" mark at the bottom right of the
screen. The 1nessage "PLEASE MAKE SURE THE
NETWORKING CABLE OR MODEM DEVICE IS
CONNECTED' will be displayed.

25
-.

c. The following message will be displayed

accordingly, "Transmitting the results to the
<CBOC: PROVINCE NAME-CITY NAME> server
(Attempt 1 of 2)". "Transmitting the results to the
CENTRAL: CENTRAL server (Attempt 1 of 2)".
''Transmitting the results to the KBP:
TRANSPARENCY SERVER - RESULTS server
(Attempt 1 of 2)." "Transmitting the results to the
KBP: TRANSPARENCY SERVER -WPAT's server
(Attempt 1 of 2)."

d. Once the VCM successfully transmitted the

results, it will display the message THE RESULTS
11

WERE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSMITTED TO

11
MBOC/ CENTRAL/ KBP SERVER and will
automatically generate, save and print the
TRANSMISSION REPORT.

20. After which the VCM will print the additional twenty­
two (22) copies of National and Local Returns.

21. After printing the Election Returns, the VCM will

automatically print the Statistical Report.

22. Once printing is completed, the VCM will display the

message CLOSE
11 POLLS COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY''. VOTING PROCESS HAS BEEN
11

COMPLETED", with DONE button. Press "DONE"

button.

23. The VCM will return to the Election Menu and is now
in CLOSED STATE.

NOTE: If transmission is not successful, perform

the following procedures:

a. Check transmission device if properly connected

then re-transmit the results.

b. From the Election

Menu screen, press
"RETRANSMIT RESULTS', a message will appear
DO YOU WANT TO TRANSMIT THE ELECTION
11

26
.'.

RESULTS?' with "YES' and "NO" options. Press

"YES'.

c. The VCM will display "PLEASE INSERT THE GSM

TRANSMISSION DEVICE". If the transmission
device allocated is BGAN, press the ">" mark at
the bottom right of the screen.

d. The message "PLEASE MAKE SURE THE

NETWORKING CABLE OR MODEM DEVICE IS
CONNECTED'' will be displayed.

e. Then the screen will display the selection of the

servers to transmit, select "ALL SERVERS' button
to re-transmit the results to C/MBOC, Central
and Transparency (Results and WPAT) Servers.

f. The VCM will print Transmission Report and verify

the results if all servers have the status "THE
RESULTS WERE SUCESSFULLY TRANSMITTED".

24. To print the Audit Log Report, perform the following

procedures:

a. From the Election Menu footer, press "REPORTS'.

Reports screen will be displayed.

b. Click the down arrow on the right side to reveal

"PRINT AUDIT LOG" button. Press the "PRINT
AUDIT LOG" button.

c. The Date and Time range will be displayed. Check

the date and time on the screen.

d. To change the date and time, press on the Check

Box beside the Start/End, input the correct date
and time and then press the check"✓" button on
the lower right of the screen to start printing.

e. After printing, a message will appear "AUDIT LOG

REPORT COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY' with

27
-.

DONE button. Press DONE. The VCM will return

to the REPORTS sub-menu.

f. Press the "X" mark to return to the Election Menu.

g. Press the "X" mark to go to the Home screen.

25. To perforn1 the Write-Protect Data, perform the

following:

a. From the Home screen, tap the iButton in the slot

and select Chairperson to authenticate.

b. Input the Role PIN of the Chairperson.

c. Fro1n the Election Menu, select "WRITE-PROTECT

DATA" option.

d. A message "INPUT PIN FOR EB CHAIRPERSON TO

CONFIRM THE EXECUTION OF WRITE-PROTECT
DATA."

e. The VCM prompts the user to confirm the lockup

of the external SD memory with message "THE
WRITE-PROTECTING PROCESS CANNOT BE
REVERSED. DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE?' with
"YES' or "NO' options. Press "YES' to confirm the
lock-up of the SD memory.

f. The machine identifies that the SD card is a

WORM. The VCM locks the backup memory,
displays a message informing about the result of
the operation. Press "OE' button to Shut Down the
VCM.

SEC. 4. Authority of the Commission to Adopt Additional

Procedures. The Commission n1.ay adopt additional VCM operation
procedures in the voting, counting and transmission to fulfill its
Constitutional mandate to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and
credible elections.

28
 SEC. 5. Effectivity and Dissemination. - This Resolution
shall take effect after its publication in two (2) daily newspapers of
general circulation in the Philippines.

The Education and Information Department (EID) shall cause

the publication of this Resolution and shall furnish copies thereof to
all Regional Election Directors, Provincial Election Supervisors,
Election Officers and Electoral Boards nationwide.

SO ORDERED.

SHERIFF M. ABAS
Chairman

MA. ROWENA AMELIA V. GUANZON SOCORRO B. INTING

Comm.issioner Commissioner

MARLON S. CASQUEJO ANTONIO T. KHO, JR.

Cmnmissioner Commissioner

AIMEE P. FEROLINO REYE. BULAY

Commissioner Commissioner

CERTIFICATION

APPROVED by the Commission En Banc during its regular online meeting on

12 January 2022, pursuant to COMELEC Resolution No. 10671, entitled:
"Supplemental Resolution to COMELEC Resolution No. 9366 Promulgated
March 25, 2015 entitled, 'Rule on the Enactment and Promulgation of Executive
or Administrative Resolutions' Providing for Other Format of Meetings to Include
Online Meetings Applicable in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the
Imposition of Community Quarantines and Similar Emergency Situations".

ATT�O B. DIOLA
Acting COMELEC Secretary

29