Sec. 53. For personal voting. – The following procedures shall be observed by the SBRCG and the SBEI in the presence of representatives/watchers of political parties and Filipino communities, if available, before the counting of votes:

1. The SBRCG shall:



1) Assign precinct number to the SBEI.

2) Allocate, in accordance with the rate of distribution indicated in OAVF No. 14-A, the accountable forms and supplies to be used in counting.

3) Record, using OAVF No. 14-A, the quantity and serial numbers of accountable forms and supplies to be issued to the SBEI.

4) Issue to the SBEI :

4.1) The ballot box/es containing the accomplished ballots; and,

4.2) All forms and supplies indicated in OAVF No. 14-A.

2. The SBEI shall:



1) Sign OAVF No. 14-A after verifying the quantity and serial numbers of accountable forms received from the SBRCG;

2) Verify whether the physical condition of the ballot box containing the ballots to be counted has been preserved and note such fact in Part A. a. of OAVF No.11-A;

3) Proceed to the room where counting will be conducted and open the ballot box by removing the security tape;

4) Take out from the ballot box the accomplished ballots;

5) Count the ballots and compare the total number with the number indicated outside of the ballot box;

If the number of ballots exceeds the total number indicated outside of the ballot box, return all the ballots into the ballot box and thoroughly mix the same. The Poll Clerk, with his back to the ballot box, shall publicly draw out as many ballots equal to the excess, place them in the OAVF No. 16 and note such fact on Part A.a.2 of OAVF No.11-A.

If the number of ballots is less than the total number indicated outside the ballot box, note such fact in Part D of OAVF No.11-A.

6) Take out the spoiled ballots if any, and the ballot coupons found inside ballot box compartment for valid ballots and place them inside OAVF No. 16, and note such facts in Part A.a.1 of OAVF No.11-A;

7) Examine the ballots, whether there are:

Ballots with undetached ballot coupons. The ballot coupons shall be removed and placed inside OAVF No. 16. The number of ballots with undetached coupons should be indicated in Part A.a.3 of OAVF No. 11-A. The ballots shall be included in the pile of valid ballots.

8) Unfold the ballots face down, and form separate piles of one hundred (100) ballots each, held together by rubber bands and proceed to count the ballots in the manner prescribed under Article XII hereunder provided.

Sec. 54. For postal voting. –

1. In the presence of representatives/watchers of political parties and Filipino communities, if any, the SBRCG shall:



1) Allocate in accordance with the rate of distribution indicated in OAVF No. 14-A, the accountable forms and supplies to be used by each SBEI in counting.

2) Record using OAVF No. 14-A the quantity and serial numbers of accountable forms and supplies to be issued to the SBEI.

3) Assign precinct number to each SBEI.

4) Open the receptacles for “Valid Ballots” and “Questionable Ballots” and retrieve the ballot envelopes contained therein.

5) Allocate the ballot envelopes containing “Valid Ballots” and “Questionable Ballots” equitably among the SBEIs.

6) Place the ballot envelopes in separate ballot boxes, one for “Valid Ballots” and another for “Questionable Ballots”.

7) Indicate in the ballot box, the number of ballots inside each ballot box.

8) Issue to the SBEI:

8.1) Ballot boxes containing “Valid Ballots” and “Questionable Ballot Envelopes”;

8.2) OAVF No.2-A; and,

8.3) All forms and supplies indicated in OAVF No. 14-A.

2. The SBEI upon receipt of the ballot boxes shall:



1) Proceed to the room where counting will be conducted;

2) Open first the ballot box containing the “Questionable Ballots”;

3) Take out all the envelopes and segregate them according to the type of “Questionable Ballots” as indicated by the SBRCG;

4) Count the envelopes and compare the total number with the number indicated outside of the ballot box.

If the number of envelopes exceeds the total number indicated outside of the ballot box, return all the envelopes containing the ballots into the ballot box and thoroughly mix the same. The Poll Clerk, with his back to the ballot box, shall publicly draw out as many envelopes equal to the excess, place them in the Envelope for Excess Ballots, and note such fact in the OAVF No.11-A.

If the number of envelopes is less than the total number indicated outside the ballot box, note such fact in the OAVF No.11-A.

5) Proceed to the Verification Process for Questionable Ballots;

1. Where the signature of the voter does not appear to be identical with that of OAVF No.2-A.



Determine whether the signature in OAVF No. 45 is in fact not identical to the signature appearing in OAVF No. 2-A or Application Form as the case may be, of the concerned voter. In which case, the word “Invalid” shall be indicated on the face of the Envelope, which shall in turn be placed inside OAVF No. 16.

However, if the signature is found to be identical, verify the ballot coupon.

2. Where the ballot coupon is not inside the Envelope



Open the accomplished ballot to determine whether the ballot coupon is still attached. In case the ballot coupon is still attached to the ballot, remove the ballot coupon, and follow the procedure in verifying its serial number.

Where the serial number of the ballot coupon attached to the ballot is different from the assigned serial number as indicated in OAVF No. 2-A write the word “INVALID” diagonally across the face of the ballot and return the same inside the Envelope which shall in turn be placed inside OAVF No. 16.

If the ballot coupon is not attached to the ballot, write the word “spoiled” diagonally across the face of the ballot. Return the ballot to the Envelope, which shall in turn be placed inside OAVF No. 16.

Spoiled ballots will not be counted.

OAVF No. 16 shall be sealed and signed by the members of the SBEI, for submission to the SBRCG after the counting.

6) After the verification process, open the ballot box containing the valid Envelopes;

7) Retrieve the Envelopes from the ballot box.

8) Count the Envelopes and compare the total number with the number indicated outside of the ballot box.

If the number of Envelopes exceeds the total number indicated outside of the ballot box, return all the envelopes containing the ballots into the ballot box and thoroughly mixed therein. The Poll Clerk, with his/her back to the ballot box, shall publicly draw out as many Envelopes equal to the excess, place them in OAVF No. 16 and note such fact in the OAVF No.11-A.

If the number of Envelopes is less than the total number indicated outside the ballot box, note such fact in the OAVF No.11-A.

9) Open the Envelopes and withdraw therefrom the official ballots;

10) Unfold the ballots face down and form separate piles of one hundred (100) ballots each, held together by rubber bands; and

11) Proceed with the counting of ballots.

Article X

Table of Contents

Article XII