Easy steps for a first-time voter

It’s a simple as inserting a card in the ATM of a bank.

First-time voters in the May 13 polls, the country’s second automated elections, shouldn’t worry about feeling clumsy or strange about casting their ballot on Monday.

The steps are similar to two common experiences – shading answers in a multiple choice exam and using an automated teller machine (ATM) or vending machine for money bills.

During the final testing and sealing of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines three days ago in Guadalupe Elementary School in Cebu City, news reporters took turns on the mahcine.

The whole process only took a few minutes.

After a voter finds his name in the designated voter’s precinct, a member of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) will ask for an identification card.

The BEI will hand you an official ballot with the names of all national and local candidates suited for your locality. This comes with a “secrecy folder” and a black pen marker.

I’ts best to take your time in shading the small circles that correspond to a candidate’s name.

Avoid tampering with the ballot or shading areas outside the ovals. The PCOS will detect unauthorized marks and refuse to accept or count the ballot. Inserting the ballot in the slot is similar to using a card in the ATM or slipping a paper bill in a vending machine.

Once the PCOS senses the ballot, it automatically sucks in the form.

After voting, the LCD panel reads: Congratulations! Your ballot has been scanned.