VCM

OPERATIONAL
GUIDE
(FTS)
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
INSTALLATION

FTS and E-Day

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 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

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

Power
Connection
source
indicator
indicator
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
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DIAGNOSTICS

FTS Only
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How to access Diagnostics
1 In the Diagnostics screen, press the lower arrow button to scroll down the screen. 
How to access Diagnostics
2 Select the option Run all.
Diagnostics result - Report on LCD screen display and printing
The VCM will print the diagnostic report of the performed diagnostics.
Diagnostics result - Report on LCD screen display and printing
After the Diagnostic report is printed, the VCM will show a screen with the summary of
the diagnostic that were successful, unsuccessful and skipped.

1 Press Done to return to the Diagnostics menu.

Diagnostics result - Report on LCD screen display and printing
The VCM displays the diagnostic results to the right side of each component in the Diagnostics Menu

Passed or completed Diagnostic completed or passed.

Failed Diagnostic failed.
Skipped/ not performed Diagnostic was skipped or not performed.
Diagnostics result - Report on LCD screen display and printing
Important: For the following items, it is mandatory to have a successful
diagnostic:
• Touchscreen
• Scanner
• Printer

If any of these options are diagnosed as failed, you must perform again the
diagnostic of these components.
OPEN VOTING

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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

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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.
PRINTING OF
REPORTS
FTD and E-Day
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 After digitally signing the election results,
the VCM will automatically prints eight (8
copies of the National Election Returns and
eight (8) copies of the Local Election
Returns (ER) consecutively.

Printing the
Election Detach the election returns and place them
in the envelope provided for the purpose.
Returns with
NO After printing the eight (8) copies of
Transmission National returns and eight (8) copies of
Local returns, the system will display
message “DO YOU WANT TO TRANSMIT THE
ELECTION RESULTS?”
with "NO" or "YES" options. Choose "NO".
 VCM will automatically print the
Statistical Report.

PRINTING OF
STATISTICAL
REPORT After printing the VCM Statistical
Report, the system will display message
“CLOSE POLLS COMPLETED WITH
WARNINGS. THE REPORT COULD NOT
BE PRINTED. THERE IS NO
INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR TALLY.”
with DONE button. Press DONE button
to return to the Election menu.
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
VCM RE-ZERO

FTS ONLY
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 1

2
Printing
report…

Re-zero

78
FTS Process
1. Ensure that the designated
Installation location within the polling
place has all the requirements
needed by VCM:
• Proper lighting, electrical
Diagnostics outlet, tables and chairs
and proper ventilation.

2. Place the VCM on top of the

Open Voting ballot box.

3. Check if the thermal paper is

properly installed and close the
Close Voting printer cover.

4. Connect the battery to the VCM

DC power port(12VDC).
Re-zero
FTS Process 5. Connect the power adaptor to
the VCM AC power port (20VAC)
Installation and plug the other end to the
electrical outlet.

6. Open the envelope that

Diagnostics contains the PINs (found inside the
VCM box). Distribute the PINs to
the EB Members

7. Turn on the VCM, wait until the

Open Voting VCM displays the message “PLEASE
TAP THE IBUTTON IN THE SLOT”.

Close Voting 8. Place the iButton security key

on the security key receptacle.
The screen displays, “SELECT THE
PROFILE TO AUTHENTICATE”.
Re-zero Choose Chairperson
FTS Process
9. The machine will ask for the
Installation PIN. Enter the PIN for the
Chairperson.

10. From the Election menu,

select the “UTILITIES” option and
Diagnostics choose “CHANGE SYSTEM DATE
AND TIME”. The system will ask
to input the PIN of the EB
Chairperson. Enter the role PIN of
Open Voting the EB Chairperson.

11. Press the DOWN or UP arrows

to adjust the date and time.
Close Voting Select the “CHANGE” button to
reflect the changes made

12. Press DONE button. Press the

X mark in the bottom-left corner
Re-zero of the screen to return to the
Election menu.
FTS Process
Installation
1. From the Election menu, Select
DIAGNOSTICS option, scroll down
the screen and select “RUN ALL”
Diagnostics to perform the entire diagnostics
routine.

2. At the end of the routine, VCM

Open Voting automatically prints one (1) copy
of diagnostics report. Press X
button to go back to the Election
Menu.
Close Voting
IMPORTANT: The report should contain the status as
“PASSED” for all components of the VCM. If the report contains
“FAILED” status, verify which component is failed and repeat the

Re-zero diagnostics.
FTS Process
1. From the Election Menu screen,
Installation select OPEN VOTING then a
message "INPUT PIN FOR EB
CHAIRPERSON TO CONFIRM THE
EXECUTION OF OPEN VOTING". will
be displayed.
Diagnostics
2. Enter the role PIN of the EB
Chairperson. The VCM will display
Open Voting the registration of the EB MEMBERS.

3. Press “ASSIGN” button beside

the EB Chairperson. The VCM will
Close Voting display “PLEASE ENTER THE EB
CHAIRPERSON NAME”. Enter EB
Chairperson Name and press ASSIGN
button.
Re-zero
FTS Process
4. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
Installation the EB Poll Clerk. The VCM will
display “PLEASE ENTER THE EB
POLL CLERK NAME”. Enter EB Poll
Clerk Name and press ASSIGN
button.
Diagnostics
5. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
the EB Third Member. The VCM will
display “PLEASE ENTER THE EB
Open Voting THIRD MEMBER NAME”. Enter EB
Third Member Name and press
ASSIGN button.

Close Voting 6. Press the check mark (✓) at the

bottom-right of the screen to
automatically print the
initialization report.
Re-zero
FTS Process 7. The messages "OPEN
POLLS" and "GENERATING THE
REPORT... SAVING THE REPORT...
Installation PRINTING REPORT... " will appear
on the screen while simultaneously
printing the initialization report.

Diagnostics 8. After printing the Initialization

Report, the VCM will display the
message "OPEN POLLS COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY"; "THE DEVICE
Open Voting STATE HAS BEEN UPDATED" with
DONE button. Press DONE button.

9. Detach the Initialization Report.

Close Voting The Chairperson, EB Member and
Poll Clerk, including the
representatives of the political
parties, candidates, or citizens'
Re-zero arms present, shall affix their
signatures thereon .
FTS Process
10. In the Election Menu, press the
Installation "GO TO VOTING" button. The VCM
will automatically print the STATUS
REPORT and will then display the
message, "GO TO VOTING
Diagnostics COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY.";
"VOTING HAS BEEN ENABLED ON
THIS DEVICE." with DONE button.
Press “DONE” button.
Open Voting
11. The VCM is now ready to accept
ballots. At this time, the VCM
Close Voting screen will display the message "TO
GET STARTED, INSERT ONE BALLOT
AT A TIME, IN ANY ORIENTATION
INTO THE SCANNER SLOT".
Re-zero
VOTING PROCESS…
The VCM shall interpret the
ballot. The message "YOUR
BALLOT IS BEING
PROCESSED" will be displayed
on the screen.
The messages, "DEPOSITI
THE BALLOT IN THE BOX"
and "YOUR VOTE HAS BEE
CAST. THANK YOU FOR
After processing, the VCM will VOTING" will be displayed
display the following the screen respectively.
messages: "YOUR VOTE IS
BEING CAST. PLEASE WAIT”.
Another message will be
displayed “YOUR VOTE IS
BEING PRINTED" while
simultaneously printing the
voter's receipt.
FTS Process
1. Place the iButton security key on
Installation the security key receptacle.

2. The screen displays, “PLEASE

SELECT THE PROFILE TO
Diagnostics AUTHENTICATE”. Select EB
MEMBERS. The VCM will display
“SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE:
Open Voting
2. The screen displays, “PLEASE
SELECT THE PROFILE TO
AUTHENTICATE”. Select EB
Close Voting MEMBERS. The VCM will display
“SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE:

Re-zero
FTS Process
4. Select EB POLL CLERK and enter
Installation the role PIN of the EB Poll Clerk.
The message "THE USER EB POLL
CLERK WAS AUTHENTICATED
SUCCESSFULLY".

Diagnostics 5. The VCM will display again the

previous menu selection. Select the
EB THIRD MEMBER and enter the
role PIN of the EB Third Member.
Open Voting
6. Tap the “CLOSE VOTING” option
in the Election Menu.

Close Voting 7. The VCM will display message

“INPUT PIN FOR EB POLL CLERK TO
CONFIRM THE EXECUTION OF CLOSE
VOTING" Enter the role PIN of the
Re-zero EB Poll Clerk.
FTS Process
8. After which, the VCM will display
Installation message "INPUT PIN FOR EB THIRD
MEMBER TO CONFIRM EXECUTION
OF CLOSE VOTING". Input the EB
Third Member’s PIN.

Diagnostics 9. The VCM displays the screen for

the digital signing of ER:

Open Voting 10. "Press NEXT TO ADD A

SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION
RESULTS. (REQUIRED SIGNATURES:
Close Voting 1). DIGITAL SIGNATURES ALREADY
ADDED: 0” with NEXT button. The
Chairperson shall press "NEXT".

Re-zero
FTS Process
11. The VCM displays, “PLEASE
Installation INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO BE
REGISTERED.”

12. Tap the ibutton key with

external certificate onto the
Diagnostics iButton receptacle and apply
pressure thereon to display the
message “READING IBUTTON…
DON’T REMOVE THE IBUTTON AND
Open Voting PLEASE WAIT.”

13. Wait until the VCM displays the

message "PLEASE INPUT THE
Close Voting IBUTTON PIN". The EB Chairperson
shall now enter his/her external
digital signature password. The
VCM shall thereafter display the
Re-zero message "DIGITAL SIGNATURE
SUCCESSFULLY ADDED".
FTS Process
14. The VCM will again display the
Installation screen where it prompts to add
digital signature to the election
results. Tap YES button to repeat
this step until all the EB Members
digitally signed the ERs.
Diagnostics
15. The VCM displays a message
“CHANGING THE VOTING MACHINE
Open Voting STATE TO CLOSED.”

16. The VCM changes its status to

CLOSED.
Close Voting

Re-zero
 After the digitally signing the election results,
the VCM will automatically prints eight (8
copies of the National Election Returns and
eight (8) copies of the Local Election Returns
Printing the (ER) consecutively.
Election
Returns with
NO Detach the election returns and place them in
the envelope provided for the purpose.
Transmission

After printing the eight (8) copies of National

returns and eight (8) copies of Local returns,
the system will display message “DO YOU
WANT TO TRANSMIT THE ELECTION RESULTS?”
with "NO" or "YES" options. Choose "NO".
 VCM will automatically print the Statistical
PRINTING OF Report.
STATISTICAL
REPORT

After printing the VCM Statistical Report,

the system will display message “CLOSE
POLLS COMPLETED WITH WARNINGS. THE
REPORT COULD NOT BE PRINTED. THERE IS
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR TALLY.”
with DONE button. Press DONE button to
return to the Election menu.
FTS Process
1. From the Election Menu, the
Installation Chairperson shall
select "UTILITIES" then choose
the "RE-ZERO" option

Diagnostics 2. The message "INPUT PIN FOR RE-

ZERO'" will be displayed on the
screen. The Chairperson shall then
input the re-zero PIN.
Open Voting
3. The message, "YOU ARE ABOUT
Close Voting TO DELETE 10 BALLOTS. ARE YOU
SURE T PROCEED?" with NO and YES
buttons, press the YES button.

Re-zero
FTS Process
4. While the VCM is re-zeroing all
Installation data, it will display the
message "ENSURING THAT VOTE
COUNTERS ARE SET TO ZERO..."

Diagnostics 5. The VCM shall then print the RE-

ZERO REPORT.

Open Voting 6. After the printing of Re-zero

report, the message "THE SYSTEM
NEEDS TO SHUTDOWN. TO SHUT
DOWN THE SYSTEM PRESS THE 'OK'
Close Voting BUTTON. RE-ZERO HAS BEEN
COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY " will be
displayed. Press OK button to shut
down the VCM.
Re-zero
 Thank you! 97

&
Stay Negative…