No that's not an unfortunate blister, that's just indelible ink.

I am already at the office, after spending 3 hours at the precinct for this year’s national elections. This year is important since we’re voting for a new president. This is also the first automated elections for the country, which is hopefully successful despite the shortcomings and unforeseen possible hindrances.

The experience

A late start.

We were relatively early, but apparently it would’ve been better if we were there before 7. Because 15 minutes was a whole difference of a hundred people in our cluster. Apparently we were grouped with 5 more precincts to share one PCOS machine. When we got settled in, I was 105th in line. Fortunately, both of my parents were senior citizens, so they were prioritized. There were a few kinks in the queuing process, but those got ironed out so annoyed civilians had to suck it. Hey, what’s one and half to three hours of waiting right now compared to another six years of waiting for another chance?

I was not asked for identification.

Even if it was explicitly advised, when I got inside, I was not asked for a valid ID. They only asked for the precinct number (since we’re a cluster of 6 precincts). Sure I have a picture on the list, but still some (if not many) do not have pictures in the print-out.

A delay in the ballot scanning.

When I was already inside the room, the machine decided to act up with a paper jam. Which caused a bit of a held up for scanning the ballots. I was a bit disappointed that the people didn’t wait to make sure their votes counted and just left their ballots pile by the machine and went out. I was also a bit annoyed that the BEIs and the poll watchers didn’t advice them and even encouraged the voters that they can leave their ballots there. It was good that the paper jam was quickly addressed, so I waited patiently with my ballot in hand. Besides, it’s not everyday you see a PCOS machine at work.

I understand that it could be because of the humidity that people were being impation, but like what has been said, what’s a few more minutes?

Cooperative weather, but still blistering heat.

We were lucky that our precinct’s waiting area has a lot of trees, so we waited in the cool shade. It was in fact much more cooler outside than inside the rooms. But it was still a hot day. I was just glad it wasn’t raining. So yes, let’s count our blessings.

A few ideas from a concerned citizen

I’m proud I can exercise my right to vote. I even raised up my inked finger, rejoicing. I do believe the system can be improved with a few things.

• A much more readable ballot. I have heard complaints both from my parents and other voters that they couldn’t read the one where it says how many people to vote for that position. Also, I believe the format could’ve been better.
• The number of party lists should be limited. Maybe we cannot stop the fact that we are a country of multiple political parties, but 100+ for party-lists vying for a spot is just ridiculous. There should be a screening process and quota for such. The ballot was simply too long just because of that.
• Isn’t it much more ideal to have one PCOS machine per precinct? If it worse comes to worst, only two precincts would share at most? And also an extra machine if one conks out unexpectedly? But of course, budget constraints.

My experience was relatively painless, with just a late start at the precinct and a few paper jams now and then with the machine. I just hope that if we continue this automated process, we learn from this one a whole lot. Even if my vote turns out to be an unpopular one, I still feel that I’ve succeeded this time around. Now, time to wait for the results.