Senator Nancy Binay (Photo by Faye Orellana / INQUIRER.net File)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay complained about issues surrounding the vote counting machines (VCMs), some of which have malfunctioned and rejected ballots, on Election Day.
“Nakakabahala na ang nagiging problema sa VCMs and overall process ng pagboto,” Binay said in a statement on Monday, May 13. “Hindi ito katanggap-tanggap considering na ilang beses ito tinest ng DOST.”
Binay said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gave an assurance that all VCMs are in working condition as the point of automating the polls is to not inconvenience voters. However, she said, reports of VCM glitches in Pasig, Makati, San Juan, and Iloilo on Election Day showed otherwise.
READ: VCM glitches mar voting in Pasig, Makati and San Juan
READ: Malfunctioning VRVM, VCM delays voting in many Iloilo City precincts
Even the reelectionist senator’s own father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, had his ballot rejected by the VCM in his precinct.
“Various reports are already pointing na ang daming kaso na mas tumagal pa ang proseso,” said Binay. “Waiting in line for four hours is too much.”
Binay has since called on the Comelec en banc to start investigating.
“Ang nangyayaring ito is totally unacceptable,” she said. “Huwag na po sanang hintayin ng Comelec magsara ang botohan mamayang 6 p.m. para solusyunan ang problema.” (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)