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P UEWELlC DFTE PHKIPPINtS

COh4MISSIDNQN ELECTIONS
INTRlWUROSMdNfLA

EDUCMION AND INFORMRTION DEPARTHENi

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Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS .
Manila

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PRESENT: I \

BOARD OF ELECTION INSPECTORS
(BEI) ON THE VOTING, MELO, Jose A.R., Chairman
SARMIENTO, Rene V., Commissione
COUNTING, AND TRANSMISSION
OF RESULTS I N CONNECTION FERRER, Nicodemo Commissioner T
WITH THE 10 MAY 2010, TAGLE, Lucenito N., omm missioner
NATIONAL AND LOCAL VELASCO, Arma'ndo C., ~ommissiorrer \Et
ELECTIONS. YUSOPH, Elias R., Commissioner,
LARRAZABAL, ~regorioY . Commissioner
f

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9369 authorized the Commission on Elections to

use an automated election system as it may deem appropriate and practical for the
. .
process of voting, counting and transmission of results;
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WHEREAS, in pursuit of this mandate, the Commission on ~lectionsresolved, in

connection with the May 10, 2010, National and Local elections: to adopt a paper-
- based automated election system by using Precinct Count ~ p ! t i c a Scan
l (PCOS)
Machines ,which shall be deployed in all polling places nationwide; : I
. .

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the

Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 9369, and other election laws, the Commission
HEREBY RESOLVES to promulgate, the following General Instruct\ons for the Board of
Election Inspectors (BEI) on the Voting, Counting, and ~ransmissio~i
of Results:
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BE1 ~ e n e r aInstructions
l for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections
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ARTICLE I ,
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BOARDOF ELECTION INSPECTORS . .

SEC. 1. Board of Election Inspectors (BEI); constitution and

appointment. - The Commission on Elections, through its Election Officer, shall
constitute not later than January 8, 2010, the BE1 for each precirkt/clustered precinct
from the list of all public school teachers submitted by the ~ e ~ a r k m e of
n t Education's
(DepEd) highest official within the city/municipality/school district. I

The BE1 shall be composed of a Chairman and two (2) me)nbers, one of whom
shall be designated as poll clerk, and all of whom shall be public school teachers, giving
preference to those with permanent appointment and those iwho served in the
immediately preceding National and Local Elections. I

I n all cases, the Election Officer shall ensure that at least on'e (1) member of the
BE1 shall be an information technology-capable person as certified by the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) aRer the training of the same.
I

I n case there are not enough public school teachers, teacheks in private schools,
employees in the civil service, or citizens of known probity and competence who are
registered voters of the city or municipality may be appointed as members of the BEI;
provided, that the chairman shall be a public school teacher.

SEC. 2. Qualifications of members of the SEX - :NO person shall be

appointed as chairman or member of the BEI, whether regular, subktitute or temporary,
unless he:

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a) Is of good moral character and irreproachable reputation;

b) Is a registered voter of the city or municipality;

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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2019 National and Local Elections

c) Has never been convicted of any election offense or of ahy other crime
punishable by more than six (6) months of imprisonment;

d) Has no pending case against him filed in COMELEC/court for any

election offense; and

e) Is able to speak, read and write English o'r .the local dialekt.

SEC. 3. Disqualification. - No person shall serve as chdirman or member of

the BE1 if he or his spouse is related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or
affinity to any member of the same BE1 or to any candidate to be voted for or to the
latter's spouse. Violation of this provision shall constitute an :election offense as
provided in Section 261 (bb), sub-par (3) of the Omnibus Election code.

SEC. 4. Notice of disqualification. - Any chairman or: member of the BE1

who is disqualified for any reason shall immediately notify the Election Officer of such
fact in writing, who shall in turn, appoint a substitute.

SEC. 5. Temporary vacancies in the BEl - If, at the time of the meeting of
the BEI, any member is absent or a vacancy exists, the members iresent shall call upon
a substitute from the list of public school teachers submitted by the DepEd to perform
the duties of the absent member. I f none is available, the members present shall
appoint any qualified non-partisan registered voter of the precinct to temporarily fill said
vacancy until the absent member appears. I n case there are G o members present,
they shall a d jointly.

SEC. 6. Arrest of absent members. - The member or lmembers of the BE1

present may. order the arrest of any member who, in his or ,their judgment, has
,
absented himself with the' intention of obstructing the performance of the duties of the
BEI.

SEC. 7. Appointment and oath of members of the ~ E I .- The Election

Officer shall accomplish the form for the Appointment of the Chairinan and Members f
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

the BE1 (A30) in three (3) copies, and require the chairman and members of the BE1 to
affix their signatures and imprints of their right thumbs on the Oath of Office (A301A31)
before him before assumption of office.

Copies of the Appointment and Oath (A30/A31) shall be distributed, as follows: .

a) The first and second copies shall be retained by the ~lectionOfficer.

One copy shall be for his file and the other shall be atkached to the
payroll for payment of honorarium of the BEI; and

b) The third copy, shall be issued to the chairman/memberslof the BEI.

I.

SEC. 8. Minutes of voting and counting of votes (~inutes).- The BE1 shall
enter in the Minutes (All), the act or data therein required as tiey occur br become
available during voting, counting, and transmission of votes. ~ o $ i e sthereof shall be
sealed in separate envelopes, to be distributed as follows:

a) First copy, to the Election Officer, who shall transmit it tb the Election
Records and Statistics Department (ERSD) in Manila; and

b) Second copy, to be deposited inside the compartment bf the ballot box for
valid ballots.

SEC. 9. Suppod Staff -There shall be in addition to the' regular members of

the BE1 depending on the number of precincts clustered, a maximum of three (3)
support staff, who are registered voters in the precinct/clustered precinct where they
are assigned. They shall be appointedldesignated by the ~lectionOfficer, subject to
the qualifications and conditions provided under Sections 2, 3 and 7 hereof, in such
manner as indicated below:, .
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10,2010 National and Local Elections

NO. PRECINCTS I N A NO. OF SUPPORT STAFF

CLUSTER
1to 2 0

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5,6 and 7 . 3 '

They can neither participate in any deliberation of the BE1 nor vote on any
issue or question that may arise during the proceedings.

I n case of absence of all or any of the support staff on the' day of the election,
the BEI, by majority vote, may designate any registered voter in the
precinctJclustered precinct as substitute, subject to the provisions of Sections 2, 3 & 7
hereof. Such f a d shall be recorded in the Minutes.

SEC. 10. Powers and functions of the BEI. - The BE1 shall have the
following powers and functions:

a) Conduct the voting in the polling place and administer the electronic counting
of votes;
b) Print the election returns and transmit electronically the election results,
through the use of the PCOS machine, to the:

a. CityJMunicipal Board of Canvassers;

. b. dominant majority party, dominant minorityparty, accredited citizens'
arm and,KBP; and
c. to the central server.

c) Act as deputies of the Commission in the conduct of the elections;

d) Maintain order within the polling place and its premises; /keep access thereto
open and unobstructed; enforce obedience to its lawful: orders and prohibit
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 BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

the use of cellular phones and camera by the voters. I f any person refuses to
obey the lawful orders of the BE1 or conducts himself in a disorderly manner
in its presence or wittiin its hearing and thereby interrupts .or disturbs its
proceedings, the BE1 may issue an order in writing directing any pkace officer
to take said person into custody until the adjournment bf the meeting, but
such order shall not be executed as to prevent said person from voting. A
copy of such written order (Annex "A") shall be attached to the Minutes; and

e) Perform such other functions prescribed by law or by the rules and

regulations promulgated by the Commission.

SEC. 11. Proceedingsuf the BEI. - The meeting of the BE1 shall be public and
shall be held in the polling place designated by the Commission.

The BE1 shall act through its chairman and shall decide by majority vote, without
delay, all questions, which may arise in the performance of its duties.

SEC. 12. Vothg Privilege of the Members of BE1 and Support Staff. -
Members of the BEI, their substitutes and support staff, if any, who are registered
voters in a precinct/clustered precincts other than where they are assigned, may avail
of the Local Absentee Voting, or on the day of the elections, vote in:the precincts where
they are registered provided that they do so when the voting in their respective places
of assignments is light,' and their absence shall not be for more than twenty (20)
minutes. For this purpose, they shall schedule their voting so that only one member of
the BE1shall leave at any one time.

SEC. 13. Prohibition against political activity. - No member of the BE1 or

its support staff shall engage in any partisan political activity or take part in the election
. - except to discharge his duties as such .and to vote.

SEC. 14. Honoraria of the B E ' - The chairman and members of the BE1 shall
each receive an honorarium of one thousand pesos (P 1,000.00)'per day but not to
, exceed three thousand pesos (P3,000.00). I n addition, they shall be entitled to service
credits for each day of service (Day before the elections, election day and day after
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

Elections. Support Staff shall receive five hundred pesos (P 500.00) per day but not to
exceed one thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00).

ARTICLE I1

WATCHERS

S EC. .15. Oflcial watchers of candidates, po/itical.parties and other

groups, - Each candidate and registered political party or coalition of political parties
duly registered with the Commission and fielding candidates in the election, as well as
duly accredited citizens' arms may appoint two watchers, to serve alternately, in every
polling place. However, candidates for Senator, candidates for Member, Sangguniang
Panlalawigan or Sangguniang Panlungsod, or Sangguniang Bayan, belonging to the
'same ticket or slate, shall collectively be entitled to one watcher.

Duly accredited citizens arms of the Commission shall be entitled to appoint a

watcher in every polling place. Other civil, professional, business, service, youth, and
any other similar organizations, with prior 'authority of the Commission, shall be entitled
collectively to appoint one watcher in every polling place.

If, because of limited space, all watchers cannot be accommodated in the polling ' .

place, preference shall be given to the watchers of the dominant majority and dominant
minority parties as determined by the Commission and the watcher of the citizens' arm,
with the latter being given preferential posltion closest to the BE1 I n case there are
two or more citizen's arm preference shall be given to the one authorized by the
Commission to conduct an unofficial count.

SEC.' 16. Qualifications of watchem- No person shall be appointed watcher

unless he: .

a) Is a registered voter of the city or municipality comprising the precinct

where he is assigned;
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

b) Is of good reputation;

c) Has not been convicted by final judgment of any election offense or of any
other crime;

d) Knows how to read and write Pilipino, English or of the prevailing local.
dialect; and

e) Is not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the
chairman or to any other member of the BE1 in the polling place where he
seeks appointment as watcher.

SEC. 17. Rights and duties of watchem- Upon entering the polling place, the
watchers shall deliver to the chairman their appointments as watchers, and their names
shall forthwith be recorded in the Minutes with a notation under their signatures that
they are not disqualified to serve as such under the immediately preceding Section. The
appointments of the watchers shall bear the signature of the candidate or duly
authorized representative of the party, organization or coalition that appointed them.
For this purpose, at least fifteen (15) days before election day, independent candidates,
registered parties, organizations, or coalitions authorized by the Coinmission to appoint
watchers shall provide the Election Officers concerned with the namks and signatures of
their representatives authorized to appoint watchers in the city or municipality.

The watchers shall have the right to:

a) Witness and inform themselves of the proceedings of the BEI;

b) Take note of what they may see or hear;

c) Take photographs of the proceedings and incidents, if any, during the voting,
counting of votes, as well as of the generated election returns and' of the
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and ~o'calElections

d) File a protest.against any irregularity or violation of law which they believe

may have been committed by the BE1 or by any of its members or by any
person;

e) Obtain from the BE1 a certificate as to the filing of such protest and the
resolution thereof; and

Watchers shall not speak to any member of the BEI, or to any voter or among
themselves, in such a manner as would disturb the proceedings of the BEI.

The watchers representing the dominant majority and dominant minority

parties fielding candidates and the watcher of the citizen's arm shall, if available, affix
their signatures and thumbmarks in the election returns.

ARTICLE I11
ELECTION FORMS AND SUPPLIES

SEC. 18. Election forms, documents and supplies. - Except when

authorized to do so earlier by the Commission, the BE1 shall get the forms, documents
and supplies early in the morning of election day. The City/Municipal Treasurer shall
distribute the following forms, documents and supplies per precinct/clustered precincts.

A. FROM THE CIWIMUNICIPAL TREASURER

I CEF NO.

ELECTION FORMS
DESCRIPTION
a RATE OF
DI'STRIBUTION

I Poster Indicating the Clustered Precincts' I

-
A3 Numbers 1 Piece
A6 Official Ballots , 1 pc. per voter
A 11 Minutes of Votinq and Counting of Votes 1 set of 2 copies
A12 Paper Seal 75 Pieces
A14 Certificate of Receipt of Official Ballots, 3 Pieces
Other Forms and Supplies by BE1
A27 Official Receipt of Election Returns 60 Pieces .
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ENVELOPES FOR VOTING AND COUNTING
BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 ~ationaland Local Elections

A15For Rejected ballots ,Half of Torn Unused 3 Pieces

Official Ballots and Other Half of Torn
Unused Official Ballots
A16 For Scanned / Counted Official Ballots 2 pieces per precinct
(expandable)
A17 For Election Returns 30 Pieces
OTHER ENVELOPES
For Minutes of Voting and Counting of
A18 Votes 1 set of ,2 pieces
A18-A For Back-up Memory Card, Initialization 5 Pieces
Report, Audit Log, and Precinct Statistical
Report
A19 For Key of Ballot Box 3 Pieces

OTHER FORMS
A30/A31 Temporary Appointment of Chairman/Poll 10 Pieces
Clerkphird Member/Support Staff
A35 Certificate of Challenge or Protest and 10 Pieces
Decision of the BE1
A39 Oath of Voter Challenge for Illegal Acts 10 Pieces
A40 Oath of Identification of Challenqed Voter 10 Pieces
SUPPLIES
Seal for back-up memory card envelope 1 Piece
Bond Paper (long) 30 Pieces
Ballot Secrecy Folder 20 Pieces
Thumbprint Taker 2 pcs. per precinct in
a cluster
Serially Numbered Fixed Length Seal for 1 Piece
back-up memory card
Indelible Stain Ink 2 bottles per precinct
in a cluster
Instruction to Voters 1 pc. per precinct in a
cluster
Ballot Box 1 Piece
Corrugated Box for Official Ballots 1 Piece
--
PCOS box plastic (garbage bag) 1 Piece
Marking pens 1 Box/es
or
2
Ballpen 6 Pieces

6. FROM THE ELECTION OFFICER

a. Book of Voters;
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

b. One (1) copy of the Precinct Computerized Voters List (PCVL) with
supplemental PCVL, if any, for posting outside the precinct;

c. Two (2) ,copies of Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL) (List of
Voters with Voting Record) with supplemental EDCVL, if any,; and

d. Copies of Appointment and Oath of Office of the BE1 and Support Staff
(A30JA31).

The Book of Voters should be duly sealed. The PCVL and EDCVL should all be
duly certified by the ~lection
Registration Board.

The poll clerk, third member and the support staff, if any, shall have. custody of
the Book of Voters and one (1) copy'of the EDCVL.

The BET shall carefully check the different election forms, documents and
supplies and the quantity .actually received. Thereafter, place the official ballots in a
corrugated box provided by the Commission. The BE1 shall sign a Certificate of Receipt
(A14) in three copies, the original of which shall be delivered to the CityJMunicipal
Treasurer, who shall transmit the same to the ERSD, Comelec, Manila, immediately
after Election Day.

SEC. 19. Forms to be reproduced when needed, 7 The following forms

may be reproduced when needed:

a) Temporary Appointment of ChairmanJPoll ClerkJMember (Annex "A");

b) Certificate of Challenge or Protest and Decision of the BE1 (Annex "B");

c) Oath of Voter Challenged for Illegal Acts (Annex "C"); and ,

d) Oath To Identify A Challenged Voter (Annex "D").\

 BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local ~lections

ARTICLE I V
DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF VOTING

SEC. 20. Date o f e/ection. - The election shall be held on May 10, 2010.

SEC. 21. Voting hours. - The casting of votes shall start at seven o'clock in
the morning and shall end at six o'clock in the evening of election day.

I f at six o'clock there are still voters within thirty (30) meters in front of the
polling place who have not yet cast their votes, voting shall continue but only to allow
said voters to cast their votes without interruption. The poll clerk'shall, without delay,
prepare a complete list containing the names of said voters consecutively numbered.
The voters listed shall be called to vote by the poll clerk by announcing each name
three (3) times in the order in which they are listed. Any voter in the list who is not
present when called shall not be allowed to vote at any later time. The said list shall be
submitted to the Election Officer.

SEC. 22. Place of voting. - Voters shall cast their votes in the polling place
designated by the Commission. The Poster Indicating the Clustered Precinct Number
(A3) shall be prominently posted near or at the door of the polling place.

SEC. 23. Who may vote. - All registered voters whose names appear in the
Posted Computerized Voters List (PCVL) or EDCVL, or whose registration records have
. not been cancelled or deactivated, may vote in the election.

SEC. 24. Challenge against illegal voters. - Any voter or watcher may
challenge any person offering to vote for:

a) Not being registered;

b) Using the name of another; or
c) Suffering from an existing disqualification.,
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

I n such case, the BE1 shall satisfy itself as to whether or not the ground for the
challenge is true by requiring proof of registration, identity or qualification. The BE1
shall identify the voter through his photograph, fingerprint, or specimen signatures in
the VRR or EDCVL. I n the absence of any of the above-mentioned proof of identity,
any member of the BE1 may identify under oath a voter, and such act shall be reflected
in the Minutes.

SEC. 25. Chal/enge based on certain illegal acts. - Any voter or watcher
may challenge any voter offering to vote on the ground that he:

a) Received or expects to receive, paid, offered or promised to pay, contributed,

offered or promised to contribute money or anything of value as
consideration for his vote or for the vote of another; or,

b) Made or received a promise to influence the giving or.withholding of any such

vote; or

c) Made a bet or is interested directly or indirectly in a bet that depends upon

the results of the election.

I n such case, the challenged voter shall take an oath before the BE1 that he has
not committed any of the acts alleged in the challenge. Upon taking such oath, the
challenge shall be dismissed and the voter shall be allowed to vote, I n case the voter
refuses to take such oath, the challenge shall be sustained and the voter shall not be
allowed to vote.

SEC. 26. Record of challenges and oaths. - The BE1 shall record in the
Minutes all challenges and oaths taken in connection therewith and its decision in each
case.

SEC. 27. Rules to be observed during the voting, - During the voting, the
BE1 shall see to it that;
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Eldions

a) Voters shall vote in the order of their arrival in the polling place;

b) No watcher shall enter the place reserved for the voters and the BEI, nor
mingle and talk with the voters;

c) No person carrying any firearm or any other deadly weapon, except those
expressly authorized by the Commission, shall enter the polling place;

d) There shall be no crowding of voters and disorderly behavior inside

the polling place; and

e) The ballot box shall remain locked during voting.

SEC. 28. Persons allowed inside the polling place, - Only the following
persons shall be allowed inside the polling place:

a) Members of the BE1 and support staff, if any;

b) Watchers who shall stay only in the space reserved for them;

c) Representatives of the Commission;

d) Technical support staff assigned in the voting center duly designated by the
Commission when summoned by the BE1 in order to address some technical
problems;

e) Voters casting their votes;

f ) Voters waiting for their turn to cast their vote;

g) Other persons who may be. specifically authorized by the Commission.

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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local fledions

Unless specifically authorized by the Commission, it is unlawful for the following

to enter any polling place or stay within a radius of fifty (50) meters thereof, except to
vote:
1. Any officer or member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the
Philippine National Police;

2. Any peace officer or any armed person belonging to any extra-legal

police agency, special forces, reaction forces, strike forces, Civilian
Armed Force Geographical Units, barangay tanods or other similar forces
or para-military forces, including special forces, security guards, special
policemen;

3. All other kinds of armed or unarmed extra-legal police forces; and

4. Any barangay official, whether elected or appointed.

However, the BE1 may, by a majority vote, if it deems necessary, order in writing
the detail of a policeman or any peace officer for its protection or for the protection of
the election documents and paraphernalia. Such order shall be entered in the Minutes.
Said policeman or peace officer shall stay outside the polling place near enough to be
easily called by the BE1 at anytime. I n no case shall the said policeman or peace officer
hold any conversation with anyvoter or disturb or prevent or in any manner obstruct
the free access of the voters to the polling place.

SEC. 29. Prohibition on voting. -It shall be unlawful for a voter to:

a) Bring the ballot, ballot secrecy folder or marking pen outside of the
polling piace;

b) Speak with anyone other than as herein provided while inside the
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 ~ationaiand Local Elections

c) Prepare his ballot without using the ballot secrecy folder or exhibit its
contents;

d) Fill his ballot accompanied by another, except in the case of an illiterate or

person with disability/disabled voter;

e) Erase any printing from the ballot, or put any distinguishing mark on the
ballot; . .

f) Use carbon paper, paraffin paper or other means of making a copy of the
contents of the. ballot, or,'othenvisemake use of any other scheme to identify .
his vote, including the use of digital cameras, cellular phones with camera or
simil'ar gadgets; and

g) Intentionally tear or deface the ballot.

h) To disrupt or attempt to disrupt the normal operation of the PCOS.

SEC. 30. Preparation of ballots for illiterati? and person with

disabi/ity/disabled voters. - No voter shall be allowed to vote as illiterate or person
with disability/disabled unless such fact is indicated in the EDCVL or VRR. I f so, he may
be assisted in the preparation of his ballot, by any:

a. Relative within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity;

b. Any person of his confidence who belongs to the same household; or

c. Member of the BEI.

A person with physically impaired capacity to use the AES may also be assisted in
feeding his ballot into the PCOS. The assistor shall ensure that the contents of the
ballot are not displayed during the feeding of the same into the PCOS.
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BEY General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

All assistors must be of voting age.

No person may assist an illiterate or person with disabilityldisabled voter more

than three (3) times, except the members of the BEI.

I n all cases, the poll clerk shall first verify from the illiterate or person with
disabilityfdisabled voter whether the latter had authorized the assistor to help him to
cast his vote.

The assistor shall, in the presence of the illiterate or person with disability1
disabled voter, prepare the ballot using a ballot secrecy folder.

The assistor shall bind himself in writing and under oath to'fill the ballot strictly
in accordance with the instructions of the voter and not to reveal the contents thereof,
by affixing his signature in the appropriate space in the Minutes.
. .

SEC. 31. Accessibility of polling place to person with disability/

disabled voters, - All polling places of precincts where there are persons with
disabilityldisabled voters shall be located at the ground floor of the voting centers,
unless not feasible. For this purpose, the EOs shall coordinate with the proper school or
building officials.

S EC. 32. Prohibition against premature announcement of voting. -

During the voting, no member of the BE1 shall make any announcement as to whether
a certain registered voter has already voted or not, as to how many have already voted
or how many so far have failed to vote or any other fact tending to show or showing
the state of the polls; nor shall he make any statement at any time, except as witness
before a court or body as to how many persons voted.
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BE1 General Instructionsfor May 10, 2010 NaUonal and Local Elections

ARTICLE V
PROCEDURES OF VOTING, COUNTING OF VOTES AND TRANSMISSION OF
PRECINCT RESULTS

SEC. 33. Pre/iminaries to the voting. - The BE1 shall meet at the polling
place at six o'clock in the morning of Election Day and do the following:
. .

a) Ensure that it has all the election forms, documents,and supplies

needed including; .

1) one (1) iButton security key for the chairman of the BE1 for use
in operating the PCOS; and

2) iButton security key and Personal Identification Number (PIN)

for each member of the BE1 for use to digitally sign the ERs
before transmission.

iButtons will be found in the thermal printer compa/fment and the

PINS will be in a separate envelopes found inside the PCOS box.

1. Post one copy of PCVL, of each precinct in the cluster, near or at the
door of the polling place.

2. Before the voting begins; The chairman of the BE1 shall:

a. Show to the public and the watchers present that the:

i. PCOS box is sealed;

BE1 members and watchers shall check if the serial

number of the seal used in the PCOS box is the same as
the serial number recorded during
. . the testing. and
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

.ii. Ballot box is locked and empty; and

iii. Package of official ballots and the Book of Voters are

both duly sealed, and thereafter, break the seals;

b. Count the ballots manually. Enter in the Minutes the number of

ballots; and the fact that the PCOS box, package of ballots and
the Book of Voters were shown to the public with the seals
intact.

c. Remove the seal of the PCOS box, retrieve the PCOS from the
box and show that the seals of the printer cover, main memory
card slot and back-up memory card slot of the PCOS are intact.
Record in the Minutes such fact and thereafter break the seal of
the printer cover. The Main memory card slot and back-up
memory card slot shall remain sealed during the voting.

d. Install the PCOS by:

i. Placing the PCOS properly on top of the ballot box;

ii. Connecting the battery of the PCOS; and
iii. Plugging the power cord.

e. Wait until the PCOS displays the .message "PLEASE INSERT

~ FOR AUTHENTICATION '
S E C U R KEY

f. Place the iButton security key on top of the iButton security key
receptacle and apply slight pressure thereon, until the message
"SECURITY KEY VERIFIED" appears on the PCOS screen; and

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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

g. Remove-the iButton security key from its receptacle after which

the PCOS shall display the main menu.

The chairman shall keep the iButton security key in

his custody throughout the voting.

h. The Operator shall initialize the PCOS by:

i. Selecting "OPEN VOTING" from the Main Menu.

ii. The PCOS will request for the PIN of the poll clerk who
will then enter his PIN and press "ENTER. The PCOS
will validate the PIN and displays a message "PIN
accepted". The PCOS will request for the second PIN
from the third member who will then enter his PIN and
press "ENTER". The PCOS will validate the PIN and
displays a message "PIN ACCEPTED".

iii.The PCOS will then display two (2) options:

"INITIALIZE VOTE COUNTERS and "PREVIOUS
SCREEN".

iv. Press the "INITIALIZE VOTE COUNTERS" option of the

PCOS.

V. The PCOS shall display the message "INITIALIZING

VOTE COUNTERS". Thereafter, PCOS shall automatically
print the Initialization ~ e i o t - showing
t the ZERO ("0")
vote for each candidate and the geographic information
(province, city/municipality, barangay,- voting center
and cluster precinct)..
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

vi. The PCOS shall display the message "PLEASE INSERT

BALLOT". Now, the PCOS is ready to accept ballots.

vii. Detach Initialization Report and let the BE1 and the

watchers present affix their signatures thereon.

i. The chairman shall then place the report inside the envelope
(A18-A) for submission to the Election Officer after the voting,
for his safekeeping.

SEC. 34. Manner of obtaining ballots. - The voter shall: .

1. Look for his name in the PCVL posted near the door of the voting
center and determine his precinct number and sequence number;

2. Approach the . BE1 member or the support staff in-charge of the

precinct, give his sequence number in the PCVL, name and address,
together with the other data concerning his pe'rson.

3. he BE1 or the support staff shall verify .if the name of the voter is in
the EDCVL. If the name of the voter is in the EDCVL, his identity shall
then be established throljgh the following:

i. His photograph in the EDCVL or specimen signatures in the

Voters Registration Record (VKR) or any authentic document
which may establish his identity except barangay certificate or
community tax certificate; or

ii. I n the absence of any of the above-mentioned proof of identity,

any member of the BE1 or any registered voter of the
precinct/clystered precinct may identify under oath a voter, and
such a d shall .be reflected in the
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

I f the BE1 or support staff is satisfied with his identity, the name of
the ~ o t e shall
r be distinctly announced in a tone loud enough to be
heard throughout the polling place. Otherwise, the voter shall be
directed to leave the polling place after informing him the reason
thereof. I f the voter Is not challenged, or having been challenged,
the question has been decided in his favor, the voter shall be
directed to the chairman of the BEI.

Before giving the ballot to the voter, the chairman of.the BE1 shall:

a) Check if any of the fingernails of the voter has already been stained with
indelible ink. I f stained, it shall be a conclusive presumption that he has
cast his vote. As such, the voter shall be directed to leave the polling
place after informing him the reason thereof. This fact, including the
name and the'precinct of the voter, shall be recorded by the Poll Clerk in
the Minutes;

b) After verifying that no fingernail has been stained, affix his signature in
the EDCVL;

c) Authenticate the ballot by affixing his signature at the designated space at

the front thereof.

The failure to authenticate the ballot shall not invalidate the ballot
. but shall constitute an election offense.

d) Instruct the voter on how to fill-up the ballot properly.

e) Insert the ballot in the secrecy folder in such a manner that its face is
covered, except the portion where his signature in the ballot appears, and
 I

,, BE1 General n
Isntkoitns for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

Only the chairman shall issue the official ballots, and not more than
one balibt shall be issued at one time.

f) Require the voter to affix his signature on the proper space in the EDCVL.

SEC. 35. Manner of voting. - Voting shall be conducted in the following

manner:

1. The voter shall, using a ballot secrecy folder and the marking pen
provided by the COMELEC, fill his ballot by fullv shadinq the oval
beside the names of the candidates and political party participating in
the party list system of representation of his choice.

2. The voter shall then approach the PC0S;insert his ballot in the ballot
entry slot and wait until the ballot is dropped into the ballot box. The
BE1 shall monitor the PCOS screen to make sure that the ballot was
successfully accepted. Thereafter, the voter shall return the ballot
secrecy folder and marking pen to the chairman.

3. The chairman shall apply indelible ink at the base and extending to the
cuticle of the right forefinger nail of the voter, or any other nail if there
be no forefinger nail.

4. The voter shall affix his thumbmark on the corresponding space in the
EDCVL.

5. The voter shall then leave the polling place.

SEC. 36. Rejected ballots Procedure. - Ballots may be rejected by the

PCOS during the scanning. I n the event of a rejected ballot, the voter shall be allowed
to re-insert the ballot. I f the PCOS still rejects the ballot, the voter shall return the ballot
to the Chairman who shall.
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and'Local Elections

1. Distinctly mark the back thereof as "Rejected,"

2. Require all members of the board to sign at the back thereof, and place

inside the Envelope for Rejected Ballots (A15).

No replacement ballot shall be issued to a voter whose ballot is rejected by the

PCOS.

Any party objecting to the rejection of the ballot shall reduce his objection in
writing, which the board shall attach and note in the Minutes.

SEC. 37 Disposition of unused ballots. - Afier the voting, the chairman in

the presence of the BE1 shall:

1. Record in the Minutes the quantity of unused ballots.

2. Tear the unused ballots in half lengthwise..

3. Place one half shall be placed in the envelope (A15), and submit to the
EO for safekeeping,

4. Place the other half in another envelope (A15), and then deposit inside
the compartment of the ballot box for valid ballots.

Such facts shall be entered in the Minutes.

S EC. 38. Counting of ballots and transmission of results; Procedure.

1. At the end of voting and before the start of counting of votes, the procedure
of validating the iButton security key stated in Section 33 (6 and 7) herein
shall be performed.
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

2. The Operator shall then press the "CLOSE VOTING" option in the Main Menu.

3. The screen will display a message "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO CLOSE
VOTING? No more ballots will be accepted after this." Select "Yes" option.

4. The PCOS will request for the PIN of the poll clerk who will then enter his PIN
and press "~nter": The PCOS will validate the PIN and displays a message
"PIN accepted". The PCOS will request for the second PIN from the third
member' who will then enter his PIN and press "Enter". The PCOS will
validate the PIN and displays a message 'PIN accepted".

5. The screen will then display a message "POLL IS BEING CLOSED PLEASE
WAIT".

6. Thereafter, the PCOS shall automatically count the votes. After all the votes
have been counted, the PCOS shall immediately display:

a. A message 'PRINTING 8 COPIES OF ELECI-ION RETURNS (ER) FOR

NAlTONAL POSITIONS. PLEASE WAlT...and
" automatically prints
the 8 copies, followed by a message "PRINTING 8 COPIES OF
ELECTION RETURNS (ER) FOR LOCAL POSITIONS. PLEASE WA lT..."
and automatically prints the 8 copies

b. The chairman of the BE1 shall publicly announce the total number of
votes received by each candidate, stating their corresponding
offices.

The poll clerk shall announce the posting of a copy of the second
copy of the ER both for national and local positions on a wall within
the premises of the polling place/counting center which must be
sufficiently lighted and accessible to the public, and proceed to post
BEI General Instructionsfor May 10,2010.National and Local Elections

After forty-eight (48) hours following the posting, the chairman of

the BE1 shall detach the posted printed copy in the wall and keep
the same in his custody to be produced as may be requested by
any voter for image or data capturing or for any lawful purpose as
'may be ordered by competent authority.

c. Require for the digital signature of the members of the BEI. Each
niember shall insert his iButton security key intended for the digital
signature in the iButton security key receptacle;

d. The PCOS will display a message "READY TO TRANSMIT. PLEASE

PLUG I N TRANSMISSION CABLE TO ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMIT
ELECTION REPORTS AND PRESS OK TO CONTINUE".

The "OK" button is to check whether the modem is properly

connected.

I f the modem is properly connected, the PCOS will display the

message "TRANSMISSION CABLE CONNECTED. BEGINNING
TRANSMISSION OF REPORTS"

I f checking of modem fails, the PCOS will display the message

"TRANSMISSION CABLE NOT CONNECTED, RETRY?" with "YES" and
'NO" buttons.

Check the connection of the modem to the PCOS and if it is properly

set up, press the "YES" button.

If after three (3) attempts, the modem still-fails, call the support .
BE1 General 1n;tructtons for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

If the modem is properly connected, the PCOS will display the

message "TRANSMISSION CABLE CONNECTED. BEGINNING
TRANSMISSION OF REPORTS"

a. A message "ELECXONICALLY TRANSMIlTING ELECTION

REPORTS TO <name of BOC server> PLEASE WAJT..."
followed by "ELECTION REPORTS SUCCESFULLY
TRANSMIlTED TO <name of BOC server>"

Iftransmission fails, PCOS will display a message "FAILED TO

TRANSMJT ELECTION REPORTS TO <name of BOC server>.
PRESS RETRY TO TRY AGAIN OR SKIP TO TRANSMIT TO THE
NEXT LOCATION"

Press 'RETRY" button. I f after three (3) attempts, the transmission

still fails, press the "SKIP" button for the PCOS to transmit to the
next destination.

b. A message "ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMrrrZNG ELECTION REPORTS

TO *DMAP-DMIP-ACA-KBP PLEASE WAIT..."
followed by "ELECTION
'

REPORTS SUCCESFULLY TRANSMIlTED TO KBP ..."

I f transmission fails, PCOS will display a message "FAILED TO

TRANSMrr ELECTION REPORTS TO DMAP-DMIP-ACA-KBP PRESS
RETRY TO TRY AGAIN OR SKIP TO TRANSMIT TO THE NEXT
LOCATION"

Press 'RETRY" button. I f after three (3) attempts, the transmission

still fails, press the "SKIP" button for the PCOS to transmit to the
next destinatio2
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i
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

c. A message "ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMIlTNG ELECTION REPORTS

TO CENTRAL SERVER PLEASE WAIT..."followed by "ELEOTON
REPORTS SUCCESFULLY TRANSMllTED TOCENTRAL SERVER" shall
appear. . .

If transmission fails, PCOS will display a message "FAILED TO

TRANSMIT ELECTION REPORTS TO CENTRAL SERVER. PRESS
RETRY TO TRY AGAIN OR SKIP TO TRANSMIT TO THE NEXT
LOCATION"

Press "RETRY" button. If after three (3) attempts, the transmission

still fails, press the 'SKIP" button for the PCOS to transmit to the
next destination.

d. A message "ALL ELECTION REPORTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY

TRANSMITTED TO <name of BOC server>, DMAP-DMIP-ACA-KBP
AND TO CENTRAL SERVER. PLEASE DISCONNECT TRANSMISSION
CABLE" shall appear

e. The PCOS shall print the remaining twenty two (22)copies of ERs, a
. .
copy of statistical report and audit log report. The Statistical Report
and Audit Log report shall be placed in the envelope (A18-A) where
the Initialization Report was placed.

I f additional copies of reports are needed, go to the main menu

and print additional copies by complying with the following
procedures:

1. Select "PRINT REPORTS". The PCOS will display a message

'PLEASE SELECT WHICH REPORT YOU WOULD LIKE TO
PRINT". .Select report to print e.g. .ER for national, ER for
local, Statistical Report, Audit Log Report.
* DMAP-DMIP-ACA-KBP (Dominant Majority Party, Dominant Minority Party, Accredited Citizen's Arm,
~apisanan'ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas)

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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and ~ocal'~lections

2. Select report. The PCOS will display a message "PLEASE

ENTER THE NUMBER OF COPIES TO PRINT".

3. Press the number of copies- to print and press

"ENTER. The PCOS will display a message

4. "PRINTING <no. of. copies> COPIES OF

,
REPORT.
PLEASE WAIT."

.5. After printing the repoks, the PCOS will automatically

display the main menu.

f. After printing all the reports:

1. The members of the BE1 shall affix their signatures and

thumb marks on the 30 printed ERs.

2. The BE1 shall ask the watchers present to affix their

'
signaturei on the printed election returns.

Unless otherwise ordered by the Commission, the BE1 shall not

stop or postpone the counting until it has been completed.

I n case a PCOS fails to count the vote or transmitlprint the results, the
Operator shall announce the error and undertake the necessary
corrective measures. Should the Operator be unable to correct the
error, he shall call on the Technical Support personnel assigned to the
Voting Cehter for assistance. Such fact shall be noted in the Minutes.

-
SEC. 39. Disposition of E/ection Returns After the printing of the election
returns, the BE1 shall individually fold the first eight (8) copies of election returns, seal .
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 BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

each of them with serially numbered paper seals, place in the envelope (A17), and seal
the envelopes, for distribution to the following:

A. In the election of president, vice-president, senators and party-list system:

1. City or Municipal Board of Canvassers;

2. Congress, directed to the President of the Senate;

4, Citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count;

5. Dominant majority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with

law;

6. Dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with

law;

7. Ballot box; .

8. Ten (10) accredited major national parties, excluding the dominant majority
and minority parties, in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them.
I f no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties
shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of
Republic Act No. 7166;

9. Two (2) accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary

agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission
shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of criteria
analogous to that provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7166;

. . 10. Four (4) national broadcast o r print media entities as may be equitably
determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the widest
BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local flectioris

11.Two (2) local broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined
by the Commission in view .of propagat/ng the copies to the widest extent
possible; . .

12. Four (4) major citizens' arms, including the accredited citizens' arm, and other
non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission pursuant to
Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881. Such citizens' arms, groups and
organizations may use the four certified copies of election returhs for the
conduct of citizens' quick counts at the local or national levels; and

13.One (1) to be posted conspicuously on a wall within the premises of the polling
place or counting center

B. I n the election of local officials and members of the House of Representatives:

.I.City or municipal board of canvassers;

2. Commission;

3. Procincial Board of Canvasser;

4. Citizens' arm authorized by the Commission to conduct an unofficial count;

5. Dominant majority party as determined by the Commission.in accordance .

with;

6. Dominant minority party as determined by the Commission in accordance with

law;

7. One (1) to be.posted conspicuously on a' wall within the premises of the
polling place or counting center;

8.. allot box

9. Ten (10) accredited major national parties, excluding the dominant majority
and minority parties, in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them.
I f no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which partie
JJ
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.' Bi3 General Instmetlons for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of
Republic Act No. 7166

10. TWO (2) accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary
agreement among them. I f no such agreement is reached, the Commission
shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of criteria
analogous to that provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7166

11. Five (5) national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably
. .

, determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the

widest extent possible

12. Two (2) local broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably
determined by the Commission in view of propagating the copies to the
widest extent possible; and

13. Three (3) major citizens' arms, including the accredited citizens' arm, and
other non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission
. pursuant to Section 52(k) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881. Such citizens' arms,
groups and organizations may use the five certified copies of election
returns for the conduct of citizens' quick counts at the local or national
levels;

SEC. 40. Shutting Dawn of the PCOS, - After the printing of all repofts and '

transmission ,of pre€inct results to all destinations, the PCOS shall automatically. display
the .main menu.

a) The operator shall press the SHUTDOWN option; and

b) The PCOS shall automatically shutdown.

SEC. 41. Disposition of PC04 bal/ot boxes, keys, Election Returns and
other documents. - Upon the termination of the counting of votes and the
announcement of the results of the election in the precinct, the BE1 shall:
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

a) Place inside the ballot box the sealed envelopes containing the following:

1 Copy of Printed ER intended for the ballot box;

2 Copy of the Minutes of Voting and Counting of Votes intended for the
ballot box;
3 Half of torn unused ballots; and
4 Rejected Ballots.

b) Close the ballot box; lock it with one (1) self-locking serially numbered fixed
length'seal and three (3) padlocks. The three (3) keys to the padlocks shall be
placed in separate envelopes, which shall be sealed and signed by all
members of the BEI;

c) Turn-over the PCOS to the support technician in the voting center.

d) Deliver the ballot box, accompanied by watchers, to the city or municipal

treasurer.

For this purpose, the city/municipal treasurer shall provide at the voting center
the necessary personnel and facilities for said delivery at the expense of the

I n case the ballot box delivered by the BE1 is not locked and/or sealed, the
treasurer shall lock and/or seal the ballot box. The treasurer shall include such
fact, including the serial number of the self-locking serially numbered fixed
length seal used, in his report to the Commission.

e) Deliver to'the Election Officer:

1) Book of Voters;
BE1 General I n h c t i o n s for May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

3) PCVL;

4) Three (3) envelopes, each containing a key to a padlock of the ballot box,
which shall each be delivered, under proper receipt, to the Provincial
Election Supervisor, Provincial Prosecutor and Provincial Treasurer;

5) Envelope. (All) containing the copy of the Minutes intended for the
Commission;

6) Envelope (A15) containing the other half of torn unused official ballots;

7) List of Voters allowed to vote, if any, after 6:00 o'clock in the evening of
May 10,2010;

8) Envelope containing the Back-up Memory card, Initialization Report,

Precinct Audit Log Report and Precinct Statistics Report;

9) The envelopes containing copies of the election returns intended for the
Provincial Board of Canvassers, Regional Board of Canvassers and the
Commission on Elections; and'

10) Other pertinent papers and documents

After the counting of votes, the provincial Election Supervisor, EO -or the
Treasurer, shall require the BE1 which failed to deliver the election documents or
paraphernalia mentioned herein to deliver the same immediately.
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BE1 General ~nsbudionsfor May 10, 2010 National and Local Elections

ARTICLE V I
COMMON PROVISIONS

SEC. 43. Preservation of the lid of voters. - The EO shall keep the EDCVL
and PCVL in a safe pl'ace until such time that the Commission gives instructions on their
disposition.

SEC. 44. Omission or erroneous inclusion of documents in ballot box. -

I f after locking the ballot box, the BE1 discovers that some documents or articles
required to be placed in the ballot box were not placed therein, the BEI, 'instead of
opening it to place therein said documents or articles, shall deliver the same to the
Election Officer. The Election Officer shall take appropriate measures to preserve the
integrity of the documents.

I n no instance shall the ballot box be reopened t6 place therein or to take out
therefrom any document or article except in proper cases and with prior written
authority of the Commission to retrieve copies of the election returns which will be
needed in any canvass. I n such instance, the members of the BE1 and the watchers
shall be notified of the time and place of the opening of said ballot box. However, if
there are other authentic copies of the election returns outside of the ballot box which
can be used in the canvass, such copies of the election returns'shall be used in said
canvass and the opening of the ballot. box to retrieve copies of the election returns
placed therein shall then be dispensed with.

SEC. 45. Special procedures, - The express provisions of this Resolution

notwithstanding, the Commission may, in exceptional cases, adopt special procedures in
the voting, counting, consolidation, transmission, storage, custody, distribution and
retrieval of accountable forms and paraphernalia to fulfill its constitutional mandate to
ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible elections.
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BE1 General Instructions for May 10.2010 National and ~ o c aElections
l

SEC. 46. Effectivity. - This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7th)
day affer its publication in two ( 2 ) daily newspapers of general circulation in the

SEC. 47. Publication and dissemination. - Let the Education' and

Information Department, this Commission, cause the publication of this Resolution in
two ( 2 ) daily newspapers of general circulation and furnish copies thereof to all
Regional Election Diredors, Provincial Election Supervisors, Election Officers and Boards
of Election Inspectors.

SO ORDERED.

NICODEM
Com ssioner
I"

Commissioner