More PCOS machines malfunction in Bulacan

MANILA, Philippines - Six of the 7 spare Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines have been used after several voting machines malfunctioned as voting commenced in an elementary school in Bocaue town, Bulacan province on Monday morning.

A 9 a.m. report gathered by ABS-CBN News cited that 3 more PCOS machines malfunctioned at the Central Elementary School in Bocauae town.

Only 2 of the defective machines have been fixed by the Smartmatic-TIM technicians.

Teachers, acting as board of election inspectors, said the machines refused to receive ballots.

Voting, meanwhile, resumed while election workers wait for the redeployment of the defective machines.

The same report said that 6 of the 7 spare machines for Bocaue town have been used because of the glitches.

An earlier report said a PCOS machine also failed to function in a precinct in Bunlo Elementry School, also in Bocaue town.

Teachers said the PCOS machine was working when it was tested on Sunday, but when they started using it at 7 a.m., it malfunctioned.

The defective PCOS machine has been brought to the municipal hall for replacement.

The BEI added that they will continue holding the elections even if they do not have a PCOS machine.

They will just feed the ballots when the PCOS's replacement arrives.

But if that does not happen, they said they can still conduct a manual audit. – With a report from Maricar Bautista, ABS-CBN News