CASTING OF VOTES. Bulakenyos in Pandi town cast their votes as early as 6 a.m. on Monday (May 9, 2022). Based on the report of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, as of 2 p.m., 15 vote-counting machines out of the total 2,878 across the province malfunctioned but were immediately replaced. (Photo by Manny Balbin)
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan – At least 15 vote counting machines (VCMs) out of the total 2,878 across the province malfunctioned in different places in the province during the voting process, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (BPPO) said on Monday.
Col. Charlie Cabradilla, acting BPPO director, said the glitches were noted in the City of San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Angat, Plaridel, Pulilan, Bocaue, Obando, Bustos, Calumpit, San Ildefonso and Meycauayan City.
However, the BPPO, in its report, also said all the problems were addressed through the replacement of the malfunctioned machines.
Aside from this, some Bulakenyos said they had to wait in the queue for hours.
Some voters at the Barihan Elementary School here said they lined up early in polling precincts.
”Ang aga naming mag-asawa dito sa aming polling precinct para makaboto nang maaga dahil mga senior na kami. Eto dalawang oras na kaming nakapila at wala pang nakakaboto dahil sira yung VCM (My husband and I came early to the polling precinct to cast votes because we are already seniors. Here, we have queued for two hours but still have not voted because the VCM is defective)," Nora Pasco of Barangay Barihan said.
Meanwhile, Clarissa del Rosario Serpa Juan, principal of Cacarong Matanda Elementary School, said they made sure that health and safety protocols against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) were observed by all the voters.
”Na maintain naman namin ang social distancing dito para hindi magkahawa-hawa ang mga botante kung mayroon mang mag-positive sa Covid-19. May hugasan kami ng kamay sa entrance gate, may alcohol at thermal scanners (We maintained social distancing to avoid transmission of the virus in case there are voters positive for Covid-19),” Juan said. (PNA)
