This document provides instructions for setting up and operating the Voting Counting Machine (VCM) for elections. It outlines the step-by-step process for installation, opening polls, voting, closing polls, printing election returns, and re-zeroing the machine after the election. The process includes authenticating election board members, printing reports, digitally signing documents, and ensuring the machine is ready for the next election.

1. HANDS ON TRAINING OF
DESO TECH SUPPORT STAFF
for the May 9, 2022
NATIONAL AND LOCAL
ELECTIONS

2. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
vs.

3. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
1. Ensure that the designated
location within the polling
place has all the requirements
needed by VCM:
• Proper lighting, electrical
outlet, tables and chairs
and proper ventilation.
2. Place the VCM on top of the
ballot box.
3. Check if the thermal paper is
properly installed and close the
printer cover.
4. Connect the battery to the VCM
DC power port(12VDC).

4. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
5. Connect the power adaptor to
the VCM AC power port (20VAC)
and plug the other end to the
electrical outlet.
6. Open the envelope that contains
the PINs (found inside the VCM
box). Distribute the PINs to the EB
Members
7. Turn on the VCM, wait until the
VCM displays the message
“PLEASE TAP THE IBUTTON IN
THE SLOT”.
8. Place the iButton security key on
the security key receptacle. The
screen displays, “SELECT THE
PROFILE TO AUTHENTICATE”.
Choose Chairperson

5. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
9. The machine will ask for the
PIN. Enter the PIN for the
Chairperson.
10. From the Election menu, select
the “UTILITIES” option and
choose “CHANGE SYSTEM DATE
AND TIME”. The system will ask
to input the PIN of the EB
Chairperson. Enter the role PIN of
the EB Chairperson.
11. Press the DOWN or UP arrows
to adjust the date and time. Select
the “CHANGE” button to reflect
the changes made
12. Press DONE button. Press the
X mark in the bottom-left corner of
the screen to return to the Election
menu.

6. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
1. From the Election menu, Select
DIAGNOSTICS option, scroll
down the screen and select “RUN
ALL” to perform the entire
diagnostics routine.
2. At the end of the routine, VCM
automatically prints one (1) copy
of diagnostics report. Press X
button to go back to the Election
Menu.
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 diagnostics.

7. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
1. From the Election Menu screen,
select OPEN VOTING then a
message "INPUT PIN FOR EB
CHAIRPERSON TO CONFIRM THE
EXECUTION OF OPEN VOTING".
will be displayed.
2. Enter the role PIN of the EB
Chairperson. The VCM will display
the registration of the EB
MEMBERS.
3. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
the EB Chairperson. The VCM will
display “PLEASE ENTER THE EB
CHAIRPERSON NAME”. Enter EB
Chairperson Name and press
ASSIGN button.

8. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
4. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
the EB Poll Clerk. The VCM will
display “PLEASE ENTER THE EB
POLL CLERK NAME”. Enter EB
Poll Clerk Name and press ASSIGN
button.
5. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
the EB Third Member. The VCM
will display “PLEASE ENTER THE
EB THIRD MEMBER NAME”.
Enter EB Third Member Name and
press ASSIGN button.
6. Press the check mark (✓) at the
bottom-right of the screen to
automatically print the initialization
report.

9. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
7. The messages "OPEN
POLLS" and "GENERATING THE
REPORT... SAVING THE REPORT...
PRINTING REPORT... " will appear
on the screen while simultaneously
printing the initialization report.
8. After printing the Initialization
Report, the VCM will display the
message "OPEN POLLS
COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY";
"THE DEVICE STATE HAS BEEN
UPDATED" with DONE button.
Press DONE button.
9. Detach the Initialization Report.
The Chairperson, EB Member and
Poll Clerk, including the
representatives of the political
parties, candidates, or citizens' arms
present, shall affix their signatures
thereon .

10. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
10. In the Election Menu, press the
"GO TO VOTING" button. The
VCM will automatically print the
STATUS REPORT and will then
display the message, "GO TO
VOTING COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY."; "VOTING HAS
BEEN ENABLED ON THIS
DEVICE." with DONE button. Press
“DONE” button.
11. The VCM is now ready to accept
ballots. At this time, the VCM
screen will display the message "TO
GET STARTED, INSERT ONE
BALLOT AT A TIME, IN ANY
ORIENTATION INTO THE
SCANNER SLOT".

11. a.The VCM shall interpret the
ballot. The message "YOUR
BALLOT IS BEING
PROCESSED" will be
displayed on the screen.
a.After processing, the VCM
will display the following
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.
a.The messages,
"DEPOSITING THE BALLOT
IN THE BOX" and "YOUR
VOTE HAS BEEN CAST.
THANK YOU FOR
VOTING" will be displayed in
the screen respectively.

12. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
1. Place the iButton security key on
the security key receptacle.
2. The screen displays, “PLEASE
SELECT THE PROFILE TO
AUTHENTICATE”. Select EB
MEMBERS. The VCM will display
“SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE:
2. The screen displays, “PLEASE
SELECT THE PROFILE TO
AUTHENTICATE”. Select EB
MEMBERS. The VCM will display
“SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE:

13. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
4. Select EB POLL CLERK and enter
the role PIN of the EB Poll Clerk.
The message "THE USER EB POLL
CLERK WAS AUTHENTICATED
SUCCESSFULLY".
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.
6. Tap the “CLOSE VOTING” option
in the Election Menu.
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 EB Poll Clerk.

14. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
8. After which, the VCM will
display message "INPUT PIN FOR
EB THIRD MEMBER TO CONFIRM
EXECUTION OF CLOSE VOTING".
Input the EB Third Member’s PIN.
9. The VCM displays the screen for
the digital signing of ER:
10. "Press NEXT TO ADD A
SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION
RESULTS. (REQUIRED
SIGNATURES: 1). DIGITAL
SIGNATURES ALREADY ADDED:
0” with NEXT button. The
Chairperson shall press "NEXT".

15. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
11. The VCM displays, “PLEASE
INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO
BE REGISTERED.”
12. Tap the ibutton key with
external certificate onto the iButton
receptacle and apply pressure
thereon to display the message
“READING IBUTTON… DON’T
REMOVE THE IBUTTON AND
PLEASE WAIT.”
13. Wait until the VCM displays the
message "PLEASE INPUT THE
IBUTTON PIN". The EB
Chairperson shall now enter his/her
external digital signature password.
The VCM shall thereafter display
the message "DIGITAL SIGNATURE
SUCCESSFULLY ADDED".

16. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
14. The VCM will again display the
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.
15. The VCM displays a message
“CHANGING THE VOTING
MACHINE STATE TO CLOSED.”
16. The VCM changes its status to
CLOSED.

17. Printing the
Election
Returns with
NO
Transmission
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 (ER)
consecutively.
Detach the election returns and place them in
the envelope provided for the purpose.
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".

18. PRINTING OF
STATISTICAL
REPORT
VCM will automatically print the 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.

19. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
1. From the Election Menu, the
Chairperson shall
select "UTILITIES" then choose
the "RE-ZERO" option
2. The message "INPUT PIN FOR
RE-ZERO'" will be displayed on the
screen. The Chairperson shall then
input the re-zero PIN.
3. The message, "YOU ARE ABOUT
TO DELETE 10 BALLOTS. ARE
YOU SURE T PROCEED?" with NO
and YES buttons, press the YES
button.

20. FTS Process
Installation
Diagnostics
Open Voting
Close Voting
Re-zero
4. While the VCM is re-zeroing all
data, it will display the
message "ENSURING THAT VOTE
COUNTERS ARE SET TO ZERO..."
5. The VCM shall then print the RE-
ZERO REPORT.
6. After the printing of Re-zero
report, the message "THE SYSTEM
NEEDS TO SHUTDOWN. TO SHUT
DOWN THE SYSTEM PRESS THE
'OK' BUTTON. RE-ZERO HAS
BEEN COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY " will be
displayed. Press OK button to shut
down the VCM.

21. ELECTION DAY
PROCESS
21

22. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
1. Retrieve the VCM from its box.
Show to the public that the VCM
slots labeled "A" and "B", where
the main and back-up SD cards are
individually stored, are sealed.
2. Place the VCM on top of the
ballot box.
3. Open the thermal paper printer
cover and ensure that the roll of
official thermal paper is properly
installed. Close the thermal paper
printer cover.
4. Connect the battery to the VCM
DC power port(12VDC).

23. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
5. Connect the power adaptor to
the VCM AC power port (20VAC)
and plug the other end to the
electrical outlet.
6. Open the envelope that contains
the PINs (found inside the VCM
box). Distribute the PINs to the EB
Members
7. Turn on the VCM, wait until the
VCM displays the message
“PLEASE TAP THE IBUTTON IN
THE SLOT”.
8. Place the iButton security key on
the security key receptacle. The
screen displays, “SELECT THE
PROFILE TO AUTHENTICATE”.
Choose Chairperson

24. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
9. The machine will ask for the
PIN. Enter the PIN for the
Chairperson.
10. From the Election menu, select
the “UTILITIES” option and
choose “CHANGE SYSTEM DATE
AND TIME”. The system will ask
to input the PIN of the EB
Chairperson. Enter the role PIN of
the EB Chairperson.
11. Press the DOWN or UP arrows
to adjust the date and time. Select
the “CHANGE” button to reflect
the changes made
12. Press DONE button. Press the
X mark in the bottom-left corner of
the screen to return to the Election
menu.

25. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
1. From the Election Menu screen,
select OPEN VOTING then a
message "INPUT PIN FOR EB
CHAIRPERSON TO CONFIRM THE
EXECUTION OF OPEN VOTING".
will be displayed.
2. Enter the role PIN of the EB
Chairperson. The VCM will display
the registration of the EB
MEMBERS.
3. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
the EB Chairperson. The VCM will
display “PLEASE ENTER THE EB
CHAIRPERSON NAME”. Enter EB
Chairperson Name and press
ASSIGN button.

26. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
4. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
the EB Poll Clerk. The VCM will
display “PLEASE ENTER THE EB
POLL CLERK NAME”. Enter EB
Poll Clerk Name and press ASSIGN
button.
5. Press “ASSIGN” button beside
the EB Third Member. The VCM
will display “PLEASE ENTER THE
EB THIRD MEMBER NAME”.
Enter EB Third Member Name and
press ASSIGN button.
6. Press the check mark (✓) at the
bottom-right of the screen to
automatically print the initialization
report.

27. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
7. The messages "OPEN
POLLS" and "GENERATING THE
REPORT... SAVING THE REPORT...
PRINTING REPORT... " will appear
on the screen while simultaneously
printing the initialization report.
8. After printing the Initialization
Report, the VCM will display the
message "OPEN POLLS
COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY";
"THE DEVICE STATE HAS BEEN
UPDATED" with DONE button.
Press DONE button.
9. Detach the Initialization Report.
The Chairperson, EB Member and
Poll Clerk, including the
representatives of the political
parties, candidates, or citizens' arms
present, shall affix their signatures
thereon.

28. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
10. In the Election Menu, press the
"GO TO VOTING" button. The
VCM will automatically print the
STATUS REPORT and will then
display the message, "GO TO
VOTING COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY."; "VOTING HAS
BEEN ENABLED ON THIS
DEVICE." with DONE button. Press
“DONE” button.
11. The VCM is now ready to accept
ballots. At this time, the VCM
screen will display the message "TO
GET STARTED, INSERT ONE
BALLOT AT A TIME, IN ANY
ORIENTATION INTO THE
SCANNER SLOT".

29. VOTING
PROCESS…

30. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
1. Place the iButton security key on
the security key receptacle.
2. The screen displays, “PLEASE
SELECT THE PROFILE TO
AUTHENTICATE”. Select EB
MEMBERS. The VCM will display
“SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE:
2. The screen displays, “PLEASE
SELECT THE PROFILE TO
AUTHENTICATE”. Select EB
MEMBERS. The VCM will display
“SELECT THE USER TO
AUTHENTICATE:

31. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
4. Select EB POLL CLERK and enter
the role PIN of the EB Poll Clerk.
The message "THE USER EB POLL
CLERK WAS AUTHENTICATED
SUCCESSFULLY".
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.
6. Tap the “CLOSE VOTING” option
in the Election Menu.
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 EB Poll Clerk.

32. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
8. After which, the VCM will
display message "INPUT PIN FOR
EB THIRD MEMBER TO CONFIRM
EXECUTION OF CLOSE VOTING".
Input the EB Third Member’s PIN.
9. The VCM displays the screen for
the digital signing of ER:
10. "Press NEXT TO ADD A
SIGNATURE TO THE ELECTION
RESULTS. (REQUIRED
SIGNATURES: 1). DIGITAL
SIGNATURES ALREADY ADDED:
0” with NEXT button. The
Chairperson shall press "NEXT".

33. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
11. The VCM displays, “PLEASE
INSERT THE MEMORY TOKEN TO
BE REGISTERED.”
12. Tap the ibutton key with
external certificate onto the iButton
receptacle and apply pressure
thereon to display the message
“READING IBUTTON… DON’T
REMOVE THE IBUTTON AND
PLEASE WAIT.”
13. Wait until the VCM displays the
message "PLEASE INPUT THE
IBUTTON PIN". The EB
Chairperson shall now enter his/her
external digital signature password.
The VCM shall thereafter display
the message "DIGITAL SIGNATURE
SUCCESSFULLY ADDED".

34. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
14. The VCM will again display the
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.
15. The VCM displays a message
“CHANGING THE VOTING
MACHINE STATE TO CLOSED.”
16. The VCM changes its status to
CLOSED.

35. Printing the Election Returns
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 (ER)
consecutively.
Detach the Election Returns.
Sign the Election Returns
Keep all copies of the ER in the
envelope provided for the
purpose.

36. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
1. 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 "YES".
2. The VCM will display "PLEASE
INSERT THE GSM TRANSMISSION
DEVICE".
If using the modem:
• Open the cover of the VCM
transmission port.
• Insert the Modem into the
transmission port.

37. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
If using the BGAN:
• Connect the power adaptor to
the BGAN.
• Connect the power cable to an
electrical outlet. If needed, use
the electrical extension cord.
(Backup battery power is
available if there is no electricity)
• Using the RJ45 LAN cable,
connect first end to the BGAN
and insert the other end to the
Ethernet port of the VCM.

38. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
• Place the BGAN to an outdoor
location with a clear sight facing
the sky and aligning it
accordingly.
• Turn on the BGAN by pressing
the power on button.
If the transmission device allocated
is BGAN, press the > mark at the
bottom right of the screen. The
message “PLEASE MAKE SURE
THE NETWORKING CABLE OR
MODEM DEVICE IS
CONNECTED” will be displayed.
NOTE: For an acceptable service to start,
minimum signal strength of 45dBHz is
required.

39. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
4. Once the VCM successfully
transmitted the results, it will
display the message "THE RESULTS
WERE SUCCESSFULLY
TRANSMITTED TO
MBOC/CENTRAL/KBP SERVER"
and will automatically generate,
save and print the TRANSMISSION
REPORT.
5. Detach and keep the
Transmission Report in the
envelope for the purpose.
3. Once the VCM detects the
presence of a transmission medium,
it shall automatically transmit the
data.

40. PRINTING OF REMAINING ERs,
STATISTICAL REPORT
After which the VCM
will print the
additional twenty-two
(22) copies of National
and Local Returns.
Once the printing the 22
copies of the National and
Local ERs is completed,
the VCM will
automatically print the
Statistical Report.
Once printing is completed,
the VCM will display the
message "CLOSE POLLS
COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY". "VOTING
PROCESS HAS BEEN
COMPLETED", with DONE
button. Press DONE button..
The VCM will return to
the Election Menu and is
now in CLOSED STATE.

41. If transmission is not successful, perform the
following procedures:
 Check transmission device if properly connected then re-transmit the results.
 From the Election Menu screen, press "RETRANSMIT RESULTS", a message
will appear "DO YOU WANT TO TRANSMIT THE ELECTION RESULTS?".
With "YES" and "NO" options. Press "YES".
 The VCM will display "PLEASE INSERT THE GSM TRANSMISSION DEVICE".
If the transmission device allocated is BGAN, press the > mark at the bottom
right of the screen.
 The message “PLEASE MAKE SURE THE NETWORKING CABLE OR MODEM
DEVICE IS CONNECTED” will be displayed.
 Then the screen will display the selection of the servers to transmit, select "ALL
SERVERS" button to re-transmit the results to C/MBOC, Central and
Transparency (Results and VVPAT) Servers.
 The VCM will print Transmission Report and verify the results if all servers
have the status “THE RESULTS WERE SUCESSFULLY TRANSMITTED”.

42. Printing of Audit Logs
○ From the Election menu footer, press “REPORTS”. Reports screen will be
displayed.
○ Click the down arrow on the right side to reveal "PRINT AUDIT LOG" button.
Press the "PRINT AUDIT LOG" button.
○ Date and Time range will be displayed. Check the date and time on the screen.
○ To change the date and time, press on the Check Box beside the Start/End,
input the correct date and time and then press the check "" button on the
lower right of the screen to start printing.
○ After printing, a message will appear “AUDIT LOG REPORT COMPLETED
SUCCESSFULLY” with DONE button. Press DONE. The VCM will return to
the REPORTS sub-menu.
○ Press the X mark to return to the Election Menu.
○ Press the X mark to go to the Home screen.

43. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
1. From the Home screen, the
Chairperson shall tap the ibutton to
the ibutton key receptacle and enter
the role pin of the EB Chairperson.
2. Select the “WRITE-PROTECT
DATA” option.
3. The VCM will display message
“INPUT PIN FOR EB
CHAIRPERSON TO CONFIRM THE
EXECUTION OF WRITE-PROTECT
DATA.” Input the role PIN of the
EB Chairperson.

44. E-Day Process
Installation
Open Voting
Close Voting
Transmission
Write Protect
4. The VCM prompts the user to
confirm the lockup of the external
SD memory with message “THE
WRITE-PROTECTING PROCESS
CANNOT BE REVERSED. DO YOU
WANT TO CONTINUE?” with
“YES” or “NO” options. Press
“YES” to confirm the lock-up of the
SD memory.
5. Wait until the VCM will display
the result of the operation.
6. Press “OK” button to shut down
the VCM.

45. CONCLUSION
DISCONNECTING
THE BATTERY
FROM THE VCM.
DISCONNECTING
THE BATTERY
CABLE FROM THE
BATTERY.
DISCONNECTING
THE POWER CABLE
OF THE VCM FROM
THE ELECTRICAL
OUTLET.
DISCONNECTING
THE POWER CABLE
FROM THE VCM.
DISCONNECTING
THE
TRANSMISSION
MEDIUM.
CLOSING AND
SEALING THE
PRINTER
COMPARTMENT
USING THE TIE
WRAP.
RETRIEVE AND
KEEP THE POLL
WORKERS PINS

46. THANK
YOU !