Precint Counter Optical Scanner (PCOS) Machine

Philippines will be having the first automated election this coming May 10, 2010.
Commission on Election (COMELEC) is now busy orienting the Board of Election Inspectors on the proper use and installation of PCOS machine in order to have a smooth flow of the operation and peaceful election. But teachers should not be woried about the new machine for there are technicians assigned in every polling place. I posted these steps in the installation of the machine so other BEI members can review these steps. Hopefully this post will be helpful.

Here are the steps in installing the machine:

1.1 INSTALLING THE MACHINE
(1) Open the Printer Cover, take out the I-Button (Security Key)
(2) Close the printer cover.
(3) Check the power supply specifications if it conforms with the PCOS machine requirements.
(4) Plug the power supply to the wall outlet.
(5) Connect the power supply to the PCOS machine. (PCOS machine will automatically start)
1.2 PCOS machine is booting up

2.1 PCOS will beep to indicate that it is ready to accept instructions from BEI.

2.2 Press firmly the security key to the security key receptacle

(2 ) ACCESSING THE MAIN MENU

BEI presses firmly the PCOS iButton security key and waits for the unit to accomplish its initial start up

Note: If the PCOS iButton security key is not properly pressed into the receptacle, an ‘ERROR IN VALIDATING SECURITY KEY’ message appears.

3(OPEN VOTING)
3.1 Press ‘OPEN VOTING' to open the election
3.2 Enter the PIN code for POLL CLERK and press the Enter button.

Screen displays the following message after a successful PIN entry.

3.3 Enter the PIN code for 3RD MEMBER and tap the Enter button.

Screen displays the following message after a successful PIN entry

Note:

If the first PIN Code entry is successful and the 2nd PIN Code entry is unsuccessful; repeat only the 2nd PIN Code Entry.

There no maximum numbers of attempts for unsuccessful pin code entries

(4) INITIALIZING REPORTS

4.1 Select the “INITIALIZE VOTE COUNTERS” button to print the initialization report
PCOS displays the message while it is initializing vote counters (left image)
PCOS then displays the status of its initialization (right image

An Initialization Report (Zero Report) will be printed to confirm that all results are zero. PCOS then displays the OPEN status and “Please insert ballot” message on the screen. After this PCOS will display the message "WOULD YOU LIKE TO PRINT MORE COPIES OF THIS REPORT?" plue the option "YES" and "NO"
Note:
The Initialization Report contains spaces for BEI signatures and thumb prints. All copies of the initialization report must be signed and thumbprints should be affixed.

The LCD screen would display that it is ready to accept votes

(5 ) VOTING PROCESS
5.1 The LCD screen would display that it is ready to accept votes
5.2 The proper way to insert the ballot

(6 ) CLOSE VOTING
6.1 Press the Ibutton to the Security Key Receptacle to activate the Main Menu
6.2 Press the “CLOSE VOTING” option
6.3 A confirmation screen would display in the LCD tap the “YES” button to confirm
6.4 Enter the first PIN code and tap the Enter button.
Screen displays the following message after a successful PIN entry.
6.5. Enter the 2nd PIN code and tap the Enter button.
Screen displays the following message after a successful PIN entry
Note:

If the first PIN Code entry is successful and the 2nd PIN Code entry is unsuccessful; repeat only the 2nd PIN Code Entry.

There no maximum numbers of attempts for unsuccessful pin code entries

6.6 Screen displays a message while closing the polls.
6.7 PCOS will confirm if a digital signature (using the BEI iButton) is needed for the results.
(This step is optional.)
6.8 If NO was pressed in the previous step, PCOS will confirm if the digital signature will not be created.
6.9 Screen displays the message

(7 ) INPUTTING DIGITAL SIGNATURE
(8 ) PRINTING 8 COPIES
8.1 Screen would display “Preparing Election Reports Please Wait”
8.2 The PCOS machine will print 8 copies of Election Returns for National Positions
8.3 The PCOS machine will print 8 copies of Election Returns for Local Positions


After these steps the transmission of results will follow which will be done by the assigned technician. Then the printing of the 22 copies of Election returns will follow, backing up of the results then lastly the uninstalling of the machine. It is very easy and less burden compared to the previous elections done. I'm just praying that the coming election will be successful and peaceful for I believe that by using the PCOS machine, there's a great assurance of having a great and clean election. Thus, choosing good leaders in our country.

Source: BEI's guide given during our training at Dynasty Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.









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