Malfunctioning vote counting machines or VCMs and ballots being rejected marred the first few hours of the May 9 elections, leaving voters confused as to how they could proceed with the process despite the glitches.
The Commission on Elections reported at least 606 incidents of rejected ballots during the early hours of the voting, with at least 51 VCMs found defective and 102 SD cards up for replacement as of 11 a.m. on Monday.
READ: If Vote-Counting Machine Malfunctions, What Should You Do?
According to Comelec Resolution 10727, which provides the general instructions for the voting process, the poll body said ballots may be rejected by the VCM during the scanning.
Rejected ballots may either be misread, previously read, or invalid, the Comelec added.
Here's what you can do if your ballot gets rejected by the VCM.
Misread ballot
Ballots can be misread when it has not been scanned properly. In this case, the electoral board should allow you to re-feed the ballot four times in four different orientations.
Previously read ballot
This happens when a ballot with the same ballot ID number had been scanned earlier.
Invalid ballot
A ballot is considered invalid if it is not configured to the VCM.
When this happens, you should return the ballot to the chairperson of the electoral board who will check if the ballot ID of the rejected ballot corresponds to the clustered precinct number.
If it does not match, the chairman will mark the ballot "Rejected" and place it inside the envelope for rejected ballots. The chairperson will then issue the correct ballot to you.
In case the ballot is still rejected, you should return the ballot to the chairperson who will mark the back of the document "Rejected" and require all members of the electoral board to also sign the back. The rejected ballot will then be placed inside the Envelope for Rejected Ballots.
My ballot gets rejected, can it be replaced?
If the ballot gets rejected for reasons other than the voter's fault, a replacement ballot will be issued. Otherwise, no replacement ballot will be given.
If you have an objection to the rejection of your ballot, you can do so in writing. The electoral board should attach your objection and note it in their minutes.
Voting for the May 9 elections will last until 7 p.m., but voters within 30 meters of their polling precincts will still be allowed to vote even beyond the closing of the polls.
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