VCM

OPERATIONAL
GUIDE
 TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED:
VCM Hardware
VCM Enhancements/Improvements
FTS Process vs. Election Day Process
VCM Installation
VCM Diagnostics
VCM Open Voting
VCM Voting Experience
VCM Close Voting
VCM Additional Functions

2
 VCM PARTS
AND FUNCTIONS

3
Front Side View
iButton Receptacle: Located above the
thermal paper compartment. This is used to
tap the iButtons

Printer / Printer Compartment: Located

below the iButton receptacle. Designed to
load the thermal paper and print all the
VVPATs and Election Reports.
Ballot entry/return Slot: Located at the front
of the VCM. Designed for the voter to insert
his/her ballot.

LCD Screen: Located at the top of the VCM.

The touchscreen LCD screen is designed to
input data and navigate through the system.
Front and Right Side View

Cast Button: Green button on the right

side the LCD screen. It is used to cast
ballots.

Return/ Divert Button: Red button below

the cast button. It is used to return
ballots.

Headphone Port: At the right side of the

VCM. Is the port to connect the
headphones.

Note: The headphones will not be used in the May 09th 2022 National and Local Elections .
Left Side View
LAN Port: An RJ45 port to connect the
BGAN via ethernet cable.

Main SD Card slot A: Next to the LAN port

is the memory card slot, where the
removable write-protect Secured Digital
(SD) card is inserted (Main SD card).

Backup SD Card slot B: Next to the Main

SD card Slot A. Is the slot for the backup
SD.

Serial Number sticker: Located on the left

corner. Included the VCM serial number in
alphanumeric series
Back View
Back-up Battery Port: To connect the
backup battery for the VCM to operate,
even in case of a power outage

USB Ports: The Universal Serial Bus (USB)

port is used to connect the USB
transmission device. There are two (2) USB
ports available.

DC Port: The Direct Current (DC) port is

used to connect to the main power supply.

Power button: This button is used to turn

on the VCM. LED indicator lights up when it
is on.
The ports marked with the icon will not be used in the
Philippines Election.
Bottom View
Ballot exit slot: It is used to eject the
ballots. The VCM ejects valid ballots from
the ballot exit slot after passing through
the feed mechanism. These ballots are
scanned and cast.

Ballot diversion slot: The ballot diversion

slot, will not be used in the May 09th 2022
National and Local Elections.

Lock flaps: This interlocks with the ballot

box.

Speaker: The speaker is used to play the

audios.
VCM COMPONENTS
AND PERIPHERALS

9
10
 VCM ENHANCEMENTS/
IMPROVEMENTS
 Include the diagnostics for iButton Receptacle
and SD Cards

 Registration of EB Poll Workers

 Digital signing of Election Results using external

certificate/EB personal certificate

 Include VVPAT during transmission

(Transparency)
11
 vs. E-Day Process
FTS Process
Installation Installation

Diagnostics Open Voting

Open Voting Close Voting

Close Voting Transmission

Re-zero
12 Write 12Protect
INSTALLATION

FTS and E-Day

13
 VCM INSTALLATION

 Setting up the Ballot Box

 Placing the VCM on top of the Ballot Box
 Installing the thermal paper
 Installing the Backup Battery
 Connecting the VCM to the power outlet
 Power on the VCM

14
 Status of
Transmission
DATE &
VCM Status Number of PRECINCT
TIME
(NOT OPEN) BALLOTS casts code

Power
Connection
source
indicator
indicator
 AUTHENTICATION PROCESS
1 Tap the iButton for Operations in the VCM iButton receptacle as described in the VCM LCD
Screen:

Note: For the authentication process you will need the iButton for Operations and the PIN.
Authentication Process
The following screen will be shown.

2 Choose your profile.

Authentication Process - Chairperson
If the CHAIRPERSON option is chosen:

3 Once prompted, enter the PIN of the CHAIRPERSON profile:

4 The system will show the Manage polls menu.

Authentication Process – EB Members
If the EB MEMBERS option is chosen:

The following screen will be shown:

3 Chose your profile.

Authentication Process – EB Members
4 Once prompted, enter the PIN based on the profile chosen:
Authentication Process – EB Members
The following screen will appear:
VCM Manage polls screen (Election Menu)
The VCM displays the following screen after the authentication process is completed:
Change System DATE and TIME

3
23
OPEN VOTING

FTS and E-Day

24
Accessing Open Voting
1 In the Manage Polls Menu, press the option Open Voting

Note: Remember you must be authenticated to have access the Manage Polls Menu.
Accessing Open Voting
The VCM LCD Screen will show the Keypad on the screen.

2 Input the corresponding PIN based on the profile being used to authenticate.

• If the Chairperson profile has been used for the authentication, enter

the Chairperson's PIN in the keypad.
• If one of the EB Members' profile has been used for authentication, enter the EB Poll
Clerk’s and the EB Third Member’s PINs in the keypad on the VCM LCD screen
Accessing Open Voting
The VCM will show the assign electoral board member's screen.
EB Assignment Removal
In case you commit a mistake entering the name of the EB Member, you can remove the entered
name and assign it again.

1 Press the Remove button at the right side of the profile, to remove the assigned name of the profile
chosen.
Initialization Report
1 Once all the names of the EB have been assigned, press the check mark option
located at the lower right corner of the screen. The VCM will register the EB
members information.
Initialization Report
The VCM will show the message “printing report” on the screen while it saves and prints the
initialization report.
Initialization Report
The VCM will print the Initialization report.

Note: This report’s image has been split into 5 columns for illustrative purposes due to its length.
Opening the polls
2 Validate the following items in the initialization report:

• The station name and/or number for the location are correct.
• "No. of voters who voted: 0"
• "No. of valid ballots cast: 0"
• The results are set to zero.
Opening the polls
The VCM will display a confirmation message

3 Press Done to confirm the opening process. After press it, the VCM will return to the Manage
polls Menu
Go to voting
The VCM will display the manage polls menu

1 Press Go to Voting option.

Go to voting
The VCM will show the message “printing report” on the screen while it saves and prints the status
report.
Go to voting
The VCM will display a confirmation message

3 Press Done to continue.

Go to voting
The VCM will display the following screen. At this moment the election is open and the VCM is ready
to receive the ballots from the voters.
Voting process
1 After you receive your ballot, shade the circles with your(s) selection(s) for each contest. Once
finish put your ballot inside the Ballot secrecy folder.

Note: The circles must be fully shaded for the VCM to recognize them as a selection.
Voting process
Important: Please fully shade the circle. The image below shows some examples:

Circle fully shaded: This is the proper way you must shade the circle.

Circle partially shaded: Not recommended.

X Circle with X mark: Not recommended.

 Circle with check mark: Not recommended.

Circle with a line: Not recommended.

Circle over shaded: Not recommended.

Voting process
2 Approach the VCM and insert your ballot into the VCM’s ballot entry/return slot.
Voting process
If the ballot is processed correctly, the VCM displays the following screen:
Voting process
Wait for the system to cast your vote. While waiting the system will show the following screen:
Voting process
The VCM prints the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) or "Voter's receipt”. While printing it, the system
will show the following screen:
Voting process

The VCM deposits the inserted ballot in the ballot box and displays an
information message.

The VCM displays a confirmation message.

Ballot Processing Scenarios
There are certain scenarios when the VCM will return the ballot to the voter. These scenarios are:

• Misread ballots: When a ballot has not been scanned properly.

• Invalid Ballot: When the Ballot is not configured to the VCM.

• Previously Read Ballots: When a ballot with the same ballot ID number was already scanned.
Ballot processing Scenarios – Misread ballot
The VCM displays the misread ballot warning message on the screen when a ballot has not been scanned
properly.

Possible causes of misread ballots are:

• The ballot is physically damaged (torn, crumpled or folded).
• The ballot has markings that obstruct certain identifiers along the sides or the bottom
of the ballot.
• The ballot was incorrectly inserted into the VCM's ballot entry/return slot.
Note: The voter can try to introduce the ballot in different orientations.
Ballot processing Scenarios – Invalid ballot
The VCM displays the invalid ballot warning message on the screen when the Ballot is not configured to the
VCM

Possible causes of invalid ballots are:

• The ballot has an incorrect bar code
• The ballot has a bar code that cannot be read
• The ballot belongs to a different precinct.
Ballot processing Scenarios – Previously read ballot
The VCM displays the duplicated ballot warning message on the screen when a ballot with the same ballot
ID number was already scanned.
 Other Scenarios – Maximum number of voters registered
The VCM displays the maximum number of voters registered warning message on the screen after reaching
the configured maximum number of registered voters.

The VCM prompts the user to remove the ballot from the scanner slot and does not accept the ballot.
Other Scenarios – Paper Jams
The VCM displays the paper jam-detected warning message on the screen when detecting ballot blockages
(also called paper jams).
CLOSE VOTING

FTS and E-Day

51
Close Voting
1 Choose Close voting option in the manage polls menu.

Note: Remember to access the Mange polls menu a profile(s) must be authenticated into the VCM.
Close Voting
The VCM will show the Keypad on the screen.

2 Input the corresponding PIN based on the profile that is being used to authenticate.

• If the Chairperson profile has been used for the authentication, enter

the Chairperson's PIN in the keypad.
• If one of the EB Members' profile has been used for authentication, enter the EB Poll
Clerk’s and the EB Third Member’s PINs in the keypad on the VCM LCD screen
Close Voting
The VCM will show the screen below and will prompt to add the signatures of the election
results:

3 Press Next to add the signatures of the EB members.

Close Voting
The VCM will show the following screen:

4 Tap the iButton for Digital Signature on the VCM iButton receptacle to add a
signature to the election results.
Close Voting
The VCM will show the following screen while reading the iButton:

Note: Do not remove the iButton from the receptacle until the VCM displays the token PIN input
screen. The VCM takes approximately 8 seconds to read and register the iButton certificate.
Close Voting
After read and register the iButton certificate, the VCM will show the following screen:

5 Input the role’s PIN that corresponds with the iButton for Digital Signature tapped
into the VCM.
Close Voting
If the correct PIN and signature are input, the VCM will display a confirmation message:
Close Voting
The VCM will show the number of signatures already added (1) and the total signatures required
(3).
Close Voting
After adding the required number of signatures, the VCM will show the following screen:
Close Voting
The VCM changes the election status from “Open” to “Closed”
Close Voting
The VCM will generate, save and print eight (8) copies of the National Returns Report and Local
Returns Report.
Transmission

E-Day ONLY
63
After printing the election returns the VCM prompts to transmit the election results and it will
show the following screen:

1 Press Yes to transmit the returns.

Note: If the No button is pressed, the VCM displays a warning message indicating that the transmit
results process was partially or completely canceled and continues with the results printing process.
Transmission
The VCM prompts to insert the transmission device, showing the following screen:
Transmission
3 The VCM will detect the network interfaces for each server configured to transmit the election
returns.
Transmission
The VCM will attempt to transmit election results to the designated servers, and it will inform about
the number of attempts. Additionally, the VCM displays a message informing about the server's response
and transmits it to the next configured server. 
Transmission
4 The VCM will save and print the transmission report.

After the transmission process is completed, the VCM will print twenty-two (22)
copies of the National Returns Report, 22 copies of Local Returns Report and Statistical
Report.i
Re-transmit results
Press Re-transmit results from Manage polls main menu:

Note: This functionality is available after completing the Close voting procedure. The election state shown
at the header of the screen should be "Closed."
Re-transmit results
The VCM prompts to transmit the reports:
Re-transmit results
The VCM prompts to insert the transmission device, showing the following screen:
Re-transmit results
The VCM will detect the network interfaces for each server configured to transmit the election
returns.
Re-transmit results
The VCM displays the list of servers and the status of the transmission to each server:

Transmitted Partially Transmitted Not transmitted

Note:
All servers with the check green icon and the button labeled as Transmit again, have been
successfully transmitted in the first attempt.

All the servers with the red warning icon and the button labeled as Transmit, were not
transmitted in the first attempt.
Re-transmit results
Transmitted Partially Transmitted Not transmitted
Re-transmit results
The VCM will attempt to re-transmit election results to the designated servers, and it will inform
about the number of attempts. Additionally, the VCM displays a message informing about the server's
response and transmits it to the next configured server. 

Note: The messages shown in the screen will depend on the selection made in the previous step.
Re-transmit results
The VCM will print the transmission report.
PRINTING OF
REPORTS
FTD and E-Day
77
Printing of reports
1 Press Reports selecting the option from the Manage polls menu:
Printing of reports
The VCM will show different reports available:
Printing of reports
Print Audit logs
1 Press Reports selecting the option from the Manage polls menu:
Print Audit logs
The VCM will show different reports available:

2 Press the Print audit log option.

Print Audit logs
The VCM will show the following screen:

Note: You can either print all the audit logs recorded in the VCM or filter the audit logs you want to
print based on the date and time period you want to print.
Print Audit logs
3 Enter the Date and time stamp values to filter the audit logs printed in the
report (optional). You need to select the start date and time and the end date
and time.

Note: If the Date and time stamp fields are left blank, the VCM prints the
complete range of audit logs.
Print Audit logs
4 Press the checkmark icon on the footer of the screen to print the audit log
report.
Print Audit logs
The VCM saves and prints the Audit log report.
Print Audit logs
The VCM will show a confirmation message after the Audit log report is printed.

5 Press Done to return to the Reports Menu.

6 In the Reports Menu, press the X icon, located at the footer, to go back to the
Manage polls menu.
WRITE PROTECT

E-DAY Only
88
Write-protect data
1 Press Write protect data from selecting the Manage polls menu option:

Note: This functionality is available after completing the Close voting procedure. The election state shown
at the header of the screen should be "Closed."
Write-protect data
The VCM will show the Keypad on the screen.
Write-protect data
The VCM prompts the user to confirm the lock-up of the external SD memory.

2  Press Yes to confirm the SD memories' lock-up.

 Notes:
• If you press No, the process will be canceled, and the system will return to the Manage
polls menu.
• The write-protect data action cannot be reversed.
Write-protect data
The VCM locks the backup memory, displays a message informing about the operation's result,
and prompts the user to shutdown the VCM:

3  Press Ok to shut down the VCM.

Note: After the VCM is turned off, the EB members can extract the SD card from the VCM
following the respective protocol for this process.
 Thank you! 93

&
Stay Negative…