674 PCOS machines for Capiz arrive
ROXAS CITY – The 674 Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines allotted for the province of Capiz in relation to the May 10 automated national and local elections have already arrived here.
Provincial Election Supervisor Lawyer Wil Arceño disclosed during the media briefing yesterday, April 28, that the said PCOS machines intended for the 674 clustered precincts in Capiz are ready for deployment from May 4 to 6 to the different polling precincts.
Arceño said that on May 7, a testing on the operation of the PCOS machines will also be simultaneously conducted in the different precincts.
He added that they are also expecting the arrival of 13 “reserve” PCOS machines to back up with the deployed ones in cases of some problem with said machine.
Arceño also said that to ensure the safety of said machines, at least two police officers are assigned in each clustered precinct, however, in areas that are included in the election watch list, the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Philippine Army will augment to secure the same.
The machines will be used in the first-ever automated elections in the country.
Arceño stressed that said the machines can operate even in areas without power supply because each PCOS machine is equipped with a battery pack and a spare battery that will last for 32 hours.
He said that the casting of votes will start at 7 in the morning and will end at 6 in the afternoon, however, voters who are within the polling premises, after listing their names, will also be allowed to vote even after designated closing time for voting.
On the other hand, Arceño encouraged media practitioners in the province to observe in the testing of PCOS machines in the various polling precincts so that they will inform the public on the status of said machines for reason of transparency. (PIA/Jemin B. Guillermo)
