Comelec to add 5 more VCMs in HK (Sabong News)

Good news for overseas voters in Hong Kong. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said it will add five more vote-counting machines (VCMs) in Hong Kong. Currently, there are five VCMs being used in Hong Kong. “‘Yung naging (On the) issue regarding sa Hong Kong since we only have five existing VCMs, the overseas voters agreed or proposed to have additional five so there will be 10 existing now,” said Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo during a media briefing, Monday, April 11. He said the poll body has already sent an advisory to the post to submit additional set of special board of election inspectors (SBEIs) “So by tomorrow or by Wednesday not only five yung existing VCMs doon kundi maging 10 na po (the existing VCMs there will be 10),” the poll commissioner said, adding such is to cater more voters especially during weekends. Meanwhile, Casquejo bellied allegations cutoff of voting, saying the post does not have a cutoff and that they will not turn away anyone who are already in the polling centers. “Kapag nandun ka na (Once you are there), the post can extend its time for you to vote, even beyond voting hours,” he noted. He added that if there are still voters within the 30 meters of the post, they will still be accommodated and allowed to cast their vote. “What happened in Hong Kong is hindi po si post ang nagbigay ng cutoff, but because of the host country. Sinabi na po ng pulis ng host country na medyo may violation na raw ng social distancing and also Covid-19 restrictions so that is why medyo nagkaroon cutoff as to the number of hours in voting but with the increase of 10 VCMs kaya po 5,000 per day kahit sabay sabay pa yung botante natin in Hong Kong (The police of the host country said there’s a little violation in social distancing and also Covid-19 restrictions so this is why there a bit of a cutoff as to number of hours in voting but with increase of 10 VCMs that’s why 5,000 per day even the voters simultaneously).”