Comelec starts field tests on voter registration verification system

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) began on Tuesday the field testing for its voter registration verification machines (VRVM) which are envisioned to hasten the poll process for the May 2019 elections.

With a scan of a fingerprint, VRVMs are programmed to determine whether a voter is listed at a specific polling precinct.

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez on her report for "24 Oras," the Comelec is confident that VRVMs would easily identify so-called "flying voters," in other words, those who are registered in multiple precincts.

"Kasi ang naka-load po doon sa machine natin, 'yung database nu'ng clustered precinct. So lahat lang ng rehistranteng naka-rehistrong botante, 'yun lang po ang lalabas dito," Divina Blas-Perez, director of the Comelec Election and Barangays department, explained.

On actual election day, voters will be allowed three tries to have their fingerprint scanned and verified.

Once registration is verified, the VRVM will print out a receipt to be presented to board of election inpectors, who will then provide the voter with a ballot.

The Comelec conducted VRVM testing at precincts in Barangay 657 in Intramuros, Manila and Barangay Talipapa in Quezon City on Tuesday.

The poll body aims to test the VRVMs in more parts of the country before May 13, 2019. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News