Election Update 1

UPDATE 1 AS OF 10:00, 12:00NN

NAMFREL PRESSCON 10AM

May 13, 2013
Update 1 and 2: 10:00 AM, 12:00NN

As of 10:00 AM, NAMFREL CDO Mis. Or. Chapter received several urgent concerns
arising from the opening of the polling precincts in the first three hours. The following were
reported:

1) Technical problems resulted from machines that malfunctioned, defective memory cards
and rejected ballots. As of 1030H, there was an estimated 17 PCOS machines that have
been reported to have malfunctioned.
• Bulua National High School – machine blacked out for unknown reasons, and remains
unusable. In the meantime, voting is ongoing and the Commission on elections
(COMELEC) is sending a replacement PCOS machine.
• MOGCHS (Precinct 0121A, 0121B) - Initially, it was thought that the backup memory
card was defective, but when the machine was re-tested, it was found that the problem
was caused by the sensor of the PCOS machine. The COMELEC is sending a replacement
PCOS machine. In the meantime, voting is ongoing. As of 1034H, the replacement
machines have not yet been delivered.
• Consolacion – out of six machines, one machine did not work immediately
• Carmen – PCOS machine rejected the ballots after the first 100 ballots; response of BEI
is to request replacement of the machine.
• Suntingon Elementary School (0239A-B, 0241A-B, 0240A-B), Bugo – ballots were
rejected; the technician decided to let the machine rest, however after an hour there
was still no improvement in the machine performance.
• Kauswagan Elementary School – one machine was reported to have completely shut
down but this was resolved by the IT expert; Another machine was rejecting ballots;
thus no automatic recording of cast ballots.
• Bongbongon Elementary School – due to paper jam, cast ballots are not immediately
recorded, but voting is still ongoing.
• Lumbia Elementary Schools – five of the eight PCOS machines were not able to start
immediately because of some defect; paper jam also occurred. However these were
resolved on site itself.
• XUGS (Macasandig) - One PCOS experienced paper jam. The issue resolved itself, and
the PCOS is currently functioning.

Most of the minor technical problems encountered were resolved or addressed, except
on those cases where the PCOS machines were to be replaced.

Technical problems were also reported from polling centers in Misamis Oriental, in particular
from Naawan, Initao and Binuangan. Reports from Brgy. Kamilon also mentioned that one
PCOS was doing selective reading of ballots.


NAMFREL CDO MIS. OR. CHAPTER

UPDATE 1 AS OF 10:00, 12:00NN

•

Naawan - Brgy. Poblacion (Precincts 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b) – PCOS machine failed and
ballots were dropped in its designated box. In the vote-rich Brgy. Maputi, six precincts
(29A, 30A, 31A, 32A and 32B) are merged, however, the PCOS machine assigned is
defective. In Brgy. Lingcayan, voters complained of long queues and overcrowding.
Municipalities of Initao and Lugait reported that all PCOS machines in the Poblacion
areas are functional and voting under way. It was observed that the merging of
precincts have resulted into crowded holding areas and very long queues, such as in
Brgy. San Pedro and Brgy. Pagahan in Initao.

•

2) Incomplete voter’s lists – Some people could not find their names on the voter’s lists at
their respective voting precincts. COMELEC clarified that this problem is usually caused by
the late update of the voter’s information on the computerized voter’s list. Voters who could
not find their names are advised to go to the City COMELEC Office or call the COMELEC
landline number ((088)-725-798). COMELEC will verify the voter on their The COMELEC
will then issue special voting permits to those voters whose names are found to exist on the
COMELEC’s updated copy of the voter’s list.

3) Issuance of Priority numbers – Despite the announcement of COMELEC that the first
come, first served basis will be enforced in voting at the precincts, incidents on the issuance
of priority numbers and other means of making some way of ‘prioritizing’ voters.
NAMFREL CDO Mis. Or. Chapter received reports of priority numbers being
issued in the following:
§ Barangay 15,
§ City Central,
§ Macasandig (Xavier University Gradeschool)
§ Macabalan Elementary School
- poll watchers of running candidates
were the ones who were issuing the priority number. Upon validation, the
Board of Election Inspectors said that they were not informed that both
the issuance of priority numbers and the presence of party poll watchers
are prohibited.

4) Special concerns – Incident reports1 coming from hinterland barangays or areas considered
as ‘critical’ or known political hotspot.
• In Brgy. Besigan, Cagayan de Oro, people who finished voting were crowding inside
and outside the polling classrooms, delaying the voting process, as of 9:30AM Monday.
NAMFREL volunteers reported that the voters in Besigan refused to heed the requests
from the principal to disperse. Board of Election Inspectors and Commission on Elections
have not responded with the current situation. Illiterate voters are given no assistance
as well. As of 10:50AM, these concerns are not resolved yet. DepEd Education Manager



Detailed incident reports attached.


NAMFREL CDO MIS. OR. CHAPTER

UPDATE 1 AS OF 10:00, 12:00NN

in the area cannot be reached for comments. NAMFREL Misamis Oriental attempted to
contact the principal but was diverted to COMELEC instead.
In Brgy. Tuburan, known supporters of a mayoral candidate were reported to be
“assisting” and accosting Senior or Elderly citizens in voting. The concern was referred
to the COMELEC to be addressed.

•

NAMFREL Volunteers also observed that there were frequent complaints of polling centers being
overcrowded, and lack of facilitation or assistance to make the voting more orderly, faster and
more convenient.

NAMFREL CDO Mis. Or. is able to cover 75% of the polling centers in CDO, or 45 schools out
of the 61 polling centers where NAMFREL volunteers are deployed and serving as election
monitors.

We receive reports not only from our deployed volunteers but from media personnel and
concerned citizens on the status of the voting in the polling places. We have also received
requests for assistance in the facilitation of overcrowded precincts. NAMFREL is referring
concerns to the authorized agencies such as the City Police/ PNP and to the designated
COMELEC Officer in the polling center.