Batanes, ARMM to get VCMs ahead of other areas

(COTABATO CITY – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Batanes will receive Vote Counting Machines (VCM) at least two weeks early compared to other areas, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said. “This is because of the fact that the region is composed of island municipalities that needs enough time for the delivery of election machines,” Commissioner Sheriff Abas told reporters. Abas also said public school teachers who will act as board of election inspectors (BEI) will be retrained on the use of the VCMs after the Supreme Court directed the poll body to issue voters’ receipts on election day. Nationwide, the preparations as far as operation of VCM is concerned was already 90 percent but the poll body went back to zero with the new feature. The poll body will be using 92,000 VCM nationwide. The ARMM, composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, will receive its VCM from Comelec Manila in April and will be kept for safekeeping by the VCM provider. Abas said the early distribution has been decided since ARMM has many island municipalities and villages that are difficult to reach. Meanwhile, police and military officials have met to assess the peace and order situation of provinces and municipalities at the start of the local campaign. . The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has started removing posters and propaganda materials posted on trees, parks and plants through its “Oplan Baklas (remove)” team. (PNA)