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FINAL TESTING AND SEALING

SHUTDOWN AND SEALING

PCOS Technician shall:

• Disconnect the battery cable from the PCOS machine and from the battery.
• Disconnect the Power cord of the PCOS machine from the electrical outlet.
• Disconnect the Power cord from the PCOS machine.
BEI shall:
• Retrieve the backup memory card from the PCOS box.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that the PCOS machine is shutdown before removing/inserting any memory
card from the access compartments.

• Open the Administrator access compartment and insert the backup memory card.
• Close and seal the Administrator access compartment using the COMELEC seal.
• Open the printer compartment and place the iButton security key inside.
• Close and seal the printer compartment using the COMELEC seal.
• Un-install the PCOS machine from the ballot box.
• Lock and seal the ballot box.

FAQ’s (Testing and Sealing)

Q. Where will the PCOS box(es) be stored after the FTS?

A. The EO will determine the location on where to securely keep the PCOS box(es).
Q. What should I use to seal the PCOS box after FTS?
A. The green sticker seal will be used to seal the PCOS box(es).

Q. Where is the contingency center located?

A. It may be located in the canvassing center, contingency hub, or the municipal hall.
Q. How will I know the location of the nearest contingency from my polling place?
A. The NSC will advise the Supervisor of the nearest contingency center.
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ELECTION DAY
PCOS MACHINE RECEPTION

PCOS Technician shall:

• Retrieve the PCOS boxes, battery boxes, ballot boxes, and BGAN box from where they were
securely placed.
• Check the PCOS box/boxes, ballot boxes and ensure that the green sticker seal and COMELEC
seal are still intact and there are no signs of tampering.
BEI shall:
• Place each PCOS box and ballot box to the assigned polling place.
• Open the sealed PCOS box.
• Get the checklist and verify if the serial number beneath the PCOS machine matches with the
documents provided with the unit as well as the contents of the PCOS box as per check list.
NOTE: The Administrator and Poll Worker access compartments that contain the Main
and Backup memory cards of the PCOS Machine should be intact and sealed.
• Open the Battery box and install the battery to the PCOS machine.
NOTE: Call the PCOS Technician if any peripherals are missing.
• Retrieve the auto sealed stickers that contain the PIN for the BEI’s.
• Distribute the auto sealed stickers to the Poll Clerk and Third Member respectively.

BACK-UP BATTERY
1. Open the battery box and take out all the contents. It should contain the following items: Battery, battery
cable, butterfly nuts and bolts, tool.
2. Using the tools, connect FIRST the black wire of the battery cable to the negatively charged terminal (with
black sticker). Connect the red wire to the positively charged terminal (with red sticker). Tighten the butterfly
nuts and bolts to secure the connection.

BALLOT BOX ASSEMBLY

1. The ballot box is basically composed of three parts – top cover, bottom bin and cover of the ballot box entry
slot.
2. Assemble the Cover of the Ballot Box Entry slot to the Top Cover of the Ballot box.
3. Turn over the top cover of the ballot box. Raise the two long metal clips until it snaps into place. Pull the
short metal clip forward until it snaps into place.
4. Assemble the top cover on to the bottom bin of the ballot box until the latch locks into place.
5. Unlock and flip open the cover of the ballot box entry slot.
6. Unlock and flip open the small plastic flap that secures the PCOS.
7. Place the PCOS on top of the ballot box with the PCOS machine’s ballot exit slot directly facing the ballot
box entry slot. Ensure that the right metal leg of the machine rests on the guide of the ballot box.
8. Push the PCOS machine until it locks into place.
9. Flip the small plastic flop to secure the PCOS in place.

PCOS MODEM
1. Screw the antenna into the right side of the PCOS modem.
2. For best performance, align the antenna to point straight up.
3. Insert the provided SIM card to the SIM card slot of the PCOS modem. When inserting the SIM card, the
logo should be on top and the cut-off corner should come in first.
4. Connect the PCOS modem cable to the PCOS modem Data port.
5. Open the cover of the transmission port and connect the other end of the PCOS modem cable to the PCOS
machine data transmission port (RJ-45 connector).

CLOSE VOTING
1. Press the PCOS iButton Security Key on the security key receptacle to access the Main Menu.
2. Select the “CLOSE VOTING” option
3. A confirmation screen will appear in the LCD screen. Tap the “YES” button to confirm.
4. Enter the first PIN code and tap the Enter button. Repeat the same steps for the second PIN code.
5. Screen displays the following message after a successful PIN entry.
Note: The same rule applies in all PIN code authentication request for the BEI Chairman's PIN.
6. Screen displays these messages while closing the polls…
7. PCOS will confirm is a digital signature is needed for the results. Tap ‘NO’ option
8. Tap the ‘YES’ button to confirm that no digital signature will be used.

ELECTION RESULTS
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1. Screen would display “Preparing Election Reports Please Wait…”
2. The PCOS machine will print 8 copies of Election Returns for National and Local Positions.
3. A prompt for more copies will appear after printing each type of report.

TRANSMISSION
1. Screen displays a message for preparing election reports for transmission.
2. Screen displays a confirmation message indicating that transmission is ready.
3. Connect the transmission device and tap the ‘OK’ button to proceed.
4. DETECTING MODEM…
MODEM DETECTED…
CONFIGURING CONNECTION…
CONNECTION READY…
IDENTIFYINGTARGET SERVER:MBOC: ######
CONTACTING SERVER:MBOC:######
SERVER IDENTIFIED
SERVER CONTACTED

5. PCOS automatically transmit the results to the designated recipients:

*Central Server / MBOC / KBP / accredited Citizens’ arm / Political parties
6. A message confirming successful transmission of all results is displayed.
7. Transmission report is also printed on thermal paper.

Note: If PCOS fails to transmit to any location, the message similar above will appear. Press RETRY
button for a second attempt. If after 3 attempts, the transmission is still a failure, press SKIP to transmit
to the next location.

8. PCOS will request for a fresh set of thermal paper before it can print the remaining 22 copies of ER’s
9. The PCOS will print the 22 copies of the Election Returns for both Local and National Positions
10. It will also print the Statistic Reports and Audit Logs
11. The system prints the Audit Logs.

BACK-UP AND SHUTDOWN

1. LCD will display a message that it is now ready to back up the election data.
2. PCOS displays the following messages for successful backup.
3. PCOS write protects the memory card and displays the following messages.
4. PCOS displays Main Menu.

PACKAGING (BEI Activities)

• Disconnect the battery cable from the PCOS machine and from the battery.
• Disconnect the Power cord of the PCOS machine from the electrical outlet.
• Disconnect the Power cord from the PCOS machine.
• Disconnect the transmission medium (if needed).
• Un-install the PCOS machine from the ballot box.

IMPORTANT: Ensure that the PCOS machine is shutdown before removing/inserting any memory
card from the access compartments.
• Break the seal and open the Poll Worker access compartment.
• Remove the primary memory card (Poll Worker) and place it inside its corresponding envelope
and label the envelope as TRANSMITTED or NOT TRANSMITTED whichever is applicable.
• Turn over the iButton and PCOS machine to the PCOS Technician.

PACKAGING (PCOS Technician Activities)

• Open the printer compartment and place the iButton security key inside the printer compartment.
• Close the printer compartment.
• Ensure all contents of the PCOS box is complete using the checklist with the exception of the
main memory card and consumed rolls of thermal printer paper.
• Pack the PCOS machine and all peripherals in the PCOS box.
• Seal the top of the PCOS box using the yellow sticker seal.
• Pack the battery and all peripherals in the battery box.
• Pack the BGAN and all peripherals in the BGAN box (if applicable).
• Wait for the courier to receive the PCOS boxes, battery box and BGAN box.

FAQ’s (Election Day)

Q. Will the PCOS box(es) be retrieved right after election? Who will do the turn-over?
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A. Yes. Retrieval shall commence right after election. The PCOS technician should turn-over the PCOS
box(es) to the designated 3PL who also delivered the machines.
Q. How do I know if they are the same 3PL who delivered the machine?
A. The 3PL should present the same document used in the delivery with the PCOS technician signing on the
reverse logistics portion of the delivery receipt.
Q. Who will retrieve the Ballot box(es)?
A. COMELEC will be in-charge of the retrieval of the ballot box(es).
Q. Who will retrieve the contingency materials (if any)?
A. The 3PL will retrieve the contingency materials used.
Q. What will be done with the defective PCOS?
A. Return to the box and label as defective.
Q. Where will be the packaged PCOS box(es) be stored while waiting for other PCOS box to be packed?
A. The boxes shall be stored in the designated area in the Polling Center while the technician waits until the
3PL arrives to retrieve all PCOS boxes.

PCOS TROUBLESHOOTING

Machine Boot Failure

Symptoms
• PCOS machine can’t complete boot up.
• “ELECTION FILE LOADING ERROR” message appears.
Possible Cause
• Primary memory card is loose.
Solution 1
• Shutdown the PCOS machine.
• Check/reinsert the primary memory card.
• Re-start the PCOS machine
Possible Cause
• Internal memory needs to be refreshed.
Solution 2
• Shutdown the PCOS machine and remove the primary memory card.
• Insert the primary memory card in another PCOS machine and turn on the PCOS machine.
• After it worked properly, shutdown the other PCOS machine and retrieve the memory card.
• Re-insert the memory card back to the original machine and turn on the PCOS machine.
Solution 3
• Shutdown the PCOS machine and remove the primary memory card.
• Borrow the primary memory card of another working PCOS machine and insert it in the defective machine,
then on the PCOS machine.
• After it worked properly, shutdown the PCOS machine and retrieve the memory card.
• Re-insert the original memory card back to the PCOS machine and turn on the PCOS machine.

Ballot Scanner Failed

Symptoms
• PCOS machine keeps on rejecting ballots.
• Possible “Paper Jam “ message appears at times.
Possible Cause
• Small sheet of paper maybe left inside the scanner rollers.

Solution
• Shutdown the PCOS machine .
• Get 10-15 sheets of bond paper and insert it all at the same time in the ballot entry slot. The bond papers
should pass through the ballot exit slot.
(Note: Repeat the procedure several times as necessary until the small sheet of paper is removed.)
• Re-start the PCOS machine and try to insert a ballot.

Printer Error

Symptoms
• “Printer Error” message appears on the LCD.
Possible Cause
• The printer roller is not properly installed.

Solution
• Eject the printer roller.
• Put the printer roller back and make sure it is properly installed.
(Note: This procedure can be done even if the PCOS machine is turned on.)
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PCOS Failed to Shutdown

Symptoms

• LCD displays “Shutting Down…” message and nothing happens after a several minutes.
Solution
• Power off the PCOS by detaching the power adaptor and backup battery.

No LCD Display

Symptoms

• Dark or white LCD display.

• No message appears on the screen.
Solution
• Turn off the PCOS by unplugging the power adaptor and backup battery.
• Check if the main memory card is properly installed.
• Wait a few minutes and turn on the machine. If problem persist, report to NSC for replacement.

PROTOCOL (Discussion)
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Activity Personnel Format

Attendance PCOS Supervisor ATT/SUP/<11-digit mobile number>

PCOS Technician ATT/PST/<11-digit mobile number>

PCOS Backup Technician ATB/PST/<11-digit mobile number>

Ballot Reception PCOS Technician BAL/<5-digit PCOS code>

Installation PCOS Technician INS/<5-digit PCOS code>

Diagnostics PCOS Technician DIA/<5-digit PCOS code>

Open Voting PCOS Technician OPE/<5-digit PCOS code>

Close Voting PCOS Technician CLO/<5-digit PCOS code>

Transmission PCOS Technician TRA/<5-digit PCOS code>

Conclusion PCOS Technician CON/<5-digit PCOS code>

FAQ’s (Protocol and Contingency)

Q. Can I recommend the use of another polling center’s transmission medium?

A. Yes, but with authorization from the NSC.
Q. What is the procedure to be followed in acquiring contingency materials?
A. A separate document for getting materials from the Contingency Center shall be provided .
Q. How do I contact any security in case we need to transport any vital election materials (e.g.
ballot box, memory cards,) to the canvassing center?
A. Security personnel are available in every Polling Center.
Q. How often do I need to call the NSC for status reporting?
A. Aside from attendance reporting, replacement request and other problems which might be
encountered, you must call NSC in case the technician was not able to text the NSC for status reporting.
Q. How can I check the status of each PCOS under my supervision?
A. Closely coordinate with your supervised technicians regarding the status of PCOS through on site
presence or by directly calling/texting the technician
Q. How do I know the PCOS technicians under my supervision?
A. List of supervised PCOS Technicians will be given by the manpower provider days before the final and
sealing testing day.  
Q. In conducting field visits, will I be reimbursed for the transportation expenses I incurred?
A. Yes, details will be discussed by your manpower provider.
Q. How do I know who are my backup technicians?
A. List of back up PCOS Technicians will be given by the manpower provider days before the final
and sealing testing day.
Q. Is it okay if I forgot to report the attendance of my PCOS technicians?
A. No, you need to report it to the NSC . Attendance is a must.
Q. What number should I send the SMS messages?
A. The NSC SMS Number is 0922 999-0000.
Q. Can I use another number in sending the SMS message?
A. Yes, provided that you still use the old mobile number in the SMS message format.