Comelec replaces VCM at ex-VP Binay’s precinct

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has replaced the vote-counting machine (VCM) that was assigned to the voting precinct of former Vice President Jejomar Binay in Makati City.
This was after the VCM rejected Binay’s ballot when he voted at around 7 a.m. at precinct 0550C in NB 304 in San Antonio National High School.
The machine kept rejecting his ballot after eight attempts.
The former vice president then personally went to the Comelec center to complain about the glitch.
At a press briefing, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the VCM was defective, adding that it was not only Binay’s ballot that was rejected.
Jimenez said the rejected ballots will be fed by batches to the new machine.
Binay will return to his precinct in Makati City, to be accompanied by Education and Information Division head Atty. Frances Arabe, to feed his ballot to a new VCM.
Jimenez also stressed that Comelec’s quick response to Binay’s concern should not be construed as special treatment because this is part of their measures in addressing the same concerns even in other precincts.
The poll body said it is now addressing similar vote-counting machine glitches that were reported in other precincts. (with details from Aiko Miguel)