With only a few weeks until the May 9 elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and SM Supermalls have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to allow the general public, particularly registered voters, to practice using Vote Counting Machines (VCMs).

Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan noted during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the two sides that the VCM demonstration and experience will allow each voter to familiarize themselves with the machine that will be utilized to collect and transmit their ballots.

“With this project, we aim to dispel apprehension and fear of some voters regarding the use and security of the vote counting machines. They are state-of-the art equipment that have been used by other countries. They are engineered to be secure and tamper proof. The programming and codes for the machines are also safe and secure,” he said.

VCMs would be installed in SM malls, with 300,000 mock ballots used to provide mall visitors with hands-on experience with the machines.

78 malls will join the program, according to SM Supermalls President Steven Tan. VCM demonstrations will be placed in Luzon from April 20 to 24, and in Visayas and Mindanao from April 22 to 24.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that as soon as the venues or malls are available, they would begin accommodating participants.

Jimenez further clarified that the ballots used in the demonstration will have fictitious names. 

Meanwhile, Commissioner Marlon Cascquejo emphasized the importance of public engagement in the event. 

“Most importantly, providing the public this voting experience will lessen errors that the voters usually commit on Election Day in shading the oval, handling the ballot, or even up to how the ballot is being fed to the machine,” he said – WhatALife! 

Source: (gmanetwork.com)

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Also read: How To Find Your Voting Precinct: COMELEC Voting Precinct Finder 2022