Poll watchdog says 2022 elections had worst VCM failures

Kontra Daya, a poll watchdog, described the 2022 National and Local Elections as having one of the "worst" vote-counting machine (VCM) failures, stating it is "unacceptable".

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported 1,800 defective VCMs, a number expected to affect approximately 1.1 million votes.

Longer voting lines were observed due to VCM breakdowns, which Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao noted "greatly compromise the safety protocols" during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Arao attributed the VCM failures to machines not being brand new and the apparent non-compliance with having at least one Smartmatic technician per VCM.

Previously, only 43 VCMs reported troubles across Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, and Batangas, with 34 malfunctioning in Pangasinan, and most of these were fixed.

Comelec Commissioner George Garcia had confirmed that voters must leave their ballots with the Electoral Board if a VCM malfunctions.

Two Black Hawk Helicopters were used to transport 12 newly-repaired VCMs to Dinagat Islands, Surigao City, and Agusan del Sur.