The Philippine Online Chronicles

Long lines and software glitches of the PCOS machines marred the first two hours of elections, according to reports by Pinoy netizens.

Noemi Dado, otherwise known as momblogger, tweeted: “grabe PCOS machine isn't working! DISTRICT 2 QC 2106A-493, 494.”

Irate netizens like briankingong also tweeted: "PCOS MACHINE IN DISTRICT 2 21061-494 IS ALSO BUSTED! IT doesn't read ballots!...people left.”

“Remulla: @ Imus bayan luma elem.schl where I vote, 4 machines failed. I voted but had 2 put my ballot in d huge plastic container,” he retweeted.

Levi Tan-Ong, meanwhile, said that in an undisclosed location, "People r already fighting. People immediately around voting machines aren't in line anymore. It's a crowd. Mayhem!”

BertPadilla shared at http://tinyurl.com/2663nmz another report that a PCOS machine in Bulacan failed.

Netizens also complained of unclear systems and long queues in their polling precincts that have lead to voter's frustration.

Bakla tweets that in San Antonio Sports Complex “walang sistema. Magulo.” Jesterinexile likewise said that at the polling precinct in Rizal Elementary school at Pacdal, Baguio City: “queue speed is thus far four feet per ninety minutes.”

From Makati xxxriainxxx tweeted: "Lines are superlong. Barely moving here at Pio del Pilar. Been here for 1 Hour."

Battle for control

In Dagupan City, confusion reportedly ensued when a campaign leader from a mayoralty bet tried to take charge. In a text message, Blog Watch's Rhodora M. Palinar said that local officials in charge of the polls were adjusting the numbering system for the line of voters in Cluster 39, precincts 126A up to 130A at North Elementary School, Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City when the campaign leader tried to issue advise counter to the officials' instructions.

“[While] re-numbering was being done, a guy with no ID meddled. Nagbigay ng ibang instruction, lalong nagkagulo, so sumingit ako, told the pipol, wag makinig sa mga taong walang ID. Apparently, the bossy guy is a campaign leader of a local bet for mayor,” she said.

In a later text she added, “[Machine] in my precinct caught a glitch. Inaayos ng tech. No back up machne! Lumalabas na ang mga problem. Magulo!"

Meanwhile, people are having difficulty getting into the polling precinct at Pilar Elementary school in Las Pinas because of lack of information regarding voting procedures. According to a report from a correspondent, voters are given voter information such as their cluster number and room number at the voter information booth, but are stuck at the school's gates as tempers run high and local election officials give conflicting answers on where people should go and what they should do to get to the voting rooms.

People wearing Villar shirts were also stationed outside the school's barriers.

FLOORPAPER: Sample ballots and other campaign paraphernalia litter the grounds of Quirino High School, Quezon City.

Some netizens also report last-minute campaigning by supporters of candidates. In a tweet by ellasez, “whisperers” are said to abound in polling centers. Supporters of some candidates in her precinct in Project 3, Quezon City, she said, whisper candidates' names to voters as they pass by. - With reports from Mikhaela de Leon and Ivy Jean Vibar

Photos by Mikhaela de Leon, some rights reserved.