PCOS_Trainers_presentation_final

PCOS Trainers Presentation

Training Objectives:

•To get acquainted with how the system works•To identify the scope and limitations of the PCOS•To distinguish the roles and responsibilities of the 2 election field personnel namely Supervisors and Technicians

Course Outline

DAY 1

Introduction:Chapter 1: PCOS (Precinct Count Optical Scanner) 1. Parts and Specifications 2. Functionalities Chapter 2: Troubleshooting• Exercises• Hands on experience

DAY 2

Chapter 3: Roles And ResponsibilitiesChapter 4: Course Evaluation

In the Philippines 2010 national and local election, the SAES will take part in the automated election. The SAES Electoral Platform Software has the following components:•SAES1800 Firmware and Hardware (Precinct Count Optical Scanner)•Real-time Electoral Information System (Consolidation Canvassing System)

However, the most common interaction in the election event will be with the SAES 1800 Firmware and Hardware otherwise known as the Precinct Count Optical Scanner or PCOS. The Real-time Electoral Information System otherwise known as the Consolidation Canvassing System or CCS will also take a key role.

Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS)

The SAES1800 Firmware and Hardware is a Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) ballot tabulator. It is used alongside compatible ballot storage boxes. The system is designed to scan marked paper ballots, interpret the voter marks, tabulate each vote, store safely each ballot and has the capability to transmit data.

Consolidation Canvassing System (CCS)

The Consolidation Canvassing System or CCS is also referred to as Real-time Electoral Information System. It is a software program installed in a laptop that consolidates and processes data from the tabulated ballots entered in the PCOS machine.

Operator access / POLL Worker compartment input

Input in the front right hand side contains the primary removable memory card

Administrator Access Compartment

Input in the front left hand side contains the write-protect backup removable memory card

Transmission Port

Port is an RJ45 interface on the right side used for connecting the external modem/cellular device for results transmission

Operator LCD screen used to interact with the application

Printer Compartment

The three opening or door located on top of the unit

Ballot entry slot

A narrow paper tray in the front slot where ballots are inserted

Security key receptacle

The contact point for the Security key

Close Caption of the 2 compartments

Battery Power port

This is where to put the battery pack that will use for backing up the power

Ballot diversion slot

Is located at the bottom of the unit where exceptional ballots are diverted based on the configuration

Ballot Exit slot

Opposite of the Ballot entry slot at the back of the unit where valid ballots are ejected after passing through a feed mechanism.

AC Power port

This is where to put the power supply of the PCOS machine

Reset

To refresh the current from power instability

REMOVABLE MEMORY CARDThe PCOS machine uses a COMPACT FLASH removable Memory card . This is where the application is stored and is used for backing up data, like election result and audit logs.

THERMAL PAPERThis is the paper that is used for printing election results and is located at the THERMAL PRINTER.

SECURITY KEY

The security key is a special device that is assigned to each PCOS machine

Power SupplyAC adapter that comes with the PCOSMachine which Uses 220 volts and an Output of 20 volts AC.

Device that will be used for the Transmission

MODEM BGAN

1. Turn Off the PCOS machine by tapping the Shutdown function2. Unplugged all the power source connected to the PCOS machine3. Open the administrator or the Poll worker compartment4. Push the eject button located at inside the compartment5. Take off the memory6. Close the compartment

1. Turn Off the PCOS by tapping the Shutdown function2. Unplugged all the power source connected to the PCOS3. Open the administrator or the Poll worker compartment4. Insert the Memory card by pushing it gently on the slot

Lift the printer cover door.

Note: Remove any lock that may have been placed on the door if your jurisdiction regulations mandate the locking of the printer cover door.

Press the blue button. The printer roller component will pop out of its position.

Pick the printer roller component and remove the old paper roll from the printer compartment

Insert the new paper roll into the rear section of the printer compartment.

Note: Ensure the position of the new paper roll so that the paper feeds from the bottom of the roll.

Pull the end of the roll forward so that the paper lies between the two printer roller pivots.

Press the printer roller component into position on top of the two printer roller pivots and the paper below it.

Feed the end of the paper through the slot in the printer cover door.

Close the printer cover door.

Tear off excess paper tape protruding from the slot. The thermal printer is ready for printing activities.

1. Check the Power supply specifications if it conforms with the PCOS machine requirements

2. Plug the power supply to the wall outlet3. Connect the power supply to the PCOS machine.

(PCOS machine will automatically start)

1. Plug the power supply to the outlet(If needed).2. Connect the power supply to the transmission

device3. Connect the cable to the PCOS machine and

transmission device

1. Unplugged the power supply at the wall outlet and the transmission device

2. Press the lock located at the RJ-45 connector and pull the cable gently

PCOS Functionality

A range of monitoring software, techniques and error m marked ballot papers. The data processing methods recovery methods are used to ensure that memory hardware provides the highest possible levels of protection against mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic stresses that impact system accuracy.

The machine is designed so that no ballot is allowed to pass the scanning stage unless:

• Original ballots are verified to be valid and authentic

• All the markings around the ballot image are scanned

• Ballot are verified to belong to a clustered precint that the machine has been configured for

• Ballots are verified to have not been previously scanned

The Operation Personnel – Specific duties of field Technicians and Supervisors.

ATTENDANCEYou should be present at the assigned polling center no later than 9:30am. Call/Send SMS NSC(National Support Center) to login your attendance and acknowledge the receipt of the PCOS unit.

RECEPTION AND INSTALLATIONAssist the Board of Election Inspector’s (BEI) in accomplishing the following installation

Activities:Receiving the PCOS unitEnsuring that the correct unit is assigned to the polling center, check if the serial numbers match with the documents provided with the unit.Verifying that each component is present as per the check listChecking that PCOS’s seals are not tampered and secure before openingEnsuring that the designated location within the voting center has all the requirements needed by PCOS (refer to Requirements at the Polling Place of the manual)Assist in assembly of the PCOS unit to the ballot box

TESTING OF PCOS Assist BEI’s in conducting the following testing activities:Running diagnosticsConduct of mock electionGeneration of reports, install a new batch of thermal paper after printing all the reportsTransmission of dataRE-ZERO of pollsShutting down of PCOS

SEALING OF PCOSAssist BEI’s in conducting the following sealing activities:Sealing of PCOS machine.Packaging and securing of the PCOS machine and peripheralsAssisting in the documentation of results from the testing of PCOS

The Operation Personnel – Specific duties of field Technicians and Supervisors.

TESTING AND SEALING OF PCOS IS DONE AT LEAST THREE DAYS BEFORE ELECTION DAY!

RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS Step by step process follow and

let PCOS perform self examination of components

1. PCOS will beep to indicate that it is ready to accept instructions from BEI.

2. BEI taps the PCOS iButton security key and wait for the unit to accomplish its initial start up.

Running diagnostics

Note: If the PCOS iButton security key is not properly tapped into the receptacle, an ‘ERROR IN VALIDATING SECURITY KEY’ message appears.

3. Tap the UTILITIES button.

Running diagnostics

4. Tap the RUN DIAGNOSTICS button.

Running diagnostics

5. PCOS runs diagnostics on the memory, Compact Flash, EEPROM and displays the appropriate message.

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSMEMORY PASSED

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSCOMPACT FLASH PASSED

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSEEPROM PASSED

6. PCOS runs the diagnostics on the thermal printer by printing a sample output on tape.

Running diagnostics

*** DIAGNOSTICS PRINTER TEST. PLEASE DISCARD! ***

7. Click the appropriate button to confirm the correct status of the printer after the testing.

Running diagnostics

Click YES and screen displays this message

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSTHERMAL PRINTER PASSED

Click NO and screen displays this message

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSTHERMAL PRINTER FAILED

(42000)

8. Screen displays a set of numbered buttons to test the LCD. A message is displayed indicating what button was pressed

Running diagnostics

9. Test all buttons. When finished, press DONE button.

BUTTON 8 PRESSED!

10. PCOS will ask if the LCD is working properly.

Running diagnostics

Click YES and screen displays this message

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSLCD PASSED

Click NO and screen displays this message

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSLCD FAILED (45000)

11. PCOS will request the BEI/Election Supervisor/Election Official to press the CAST button. Press it.

Running diagnostics

12. PCOS will request BEI to press the RETURN button. Press it.

13. BMD feature is not available in this unit. Press the ACCEPT button to skip this test.

Running diagnostics

14. PCOS will automatically test the clock component and display the message

COMPLETEDIAGNOSTICS

 CLOCK PASSED

15. PCOS will automatically test the power component and display the message

Running diagnostics

16. Screen displays the message and request the BEI’s to run one test ballot to test the scanner. Insert one official test ballot.

PLEASE INSERT ONEBALLOT TO RUN

SCANNERDIAGNOSTICS

COMPLETEDIAGNOSTICS

 POWER PASSED

17. PCOS validates the ballot and displays the following messages

Running diagnostics

PCOS asks the question

IS THE SCANNER WORKING PROPERLY AND ARE THE

SCANNED BALLOT RESULTS CORRECT?

VERIFYING BALLOT

SCAN COMPLETE

RETURNING BALLOT

Message for valid ballot

Message for invalid ballot

Click YES and screen displays this message

Click NO and screen displays this message

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSSCANNER PASSED

COMPLETE DIAGNOSTICSSCANNER FAILED (46027)

18. Screen will display options to PRINT or DISPLAY the results of the diagnostics.

Running diagnostics

Sample diagnostic result displayed on screen

RE-ZERO OF POLLSStep by step process on how to

initialize (re-zero) PCOS

1. Tap the PCOS iButton security key into the receptacle. Wait until the administrator menu displays.

2. Select UTILITIES.

Re-zero of Polls

3. Select RE-ZERO options.

4. Enter the PIN codes. Tap the ENTER button

Re-zero of Polls

5. Screen displays the following message and returns to the administrator menu.

INITIALIZING VOTECOUNTERS

(ENSURING THATVOTE COUNTERS ARE

SET TO ZERO) 

PLEASE WAIT. . .

RESULTS HAVE BEENINITIALIZED

MOCK ELECTIONSSTEP BY STEP PROCESS WILL

BE DISCUSSED IN DETAILS ON THE NEXT TOPIC.

Plug the PCOS machine to the power outlet.

1. Installation of power to the PCOS

PCOS Machine is booting up

1. Installation of power to the PCOS

The initial screen that you would see as soon as you turn on the PCOS machine

2. Accessing the main menu

Tap the security key to the security key receptacle

2. Accessing the main menu

Tap open voting to open the election2. Accessing the main menu

The screen would prompt for the first BEI pin code

3. Authenticating the pin code.

The screen would prompt you for the second BEI pin code

3. Authenticating the pin code.

Tap the button Initialize Report to print the Initialization report

4. Initializing reports.

The LCD screen would display that it is ready to accept votes

5. Voting process

The proper way to insert the ballot5. Voting process

To display the menu options you need to tap the security key to the receptacle

6. Close of voting

Tap the close voting button to begin the process in closing the voting

6. Close of voting

A confirmation screen would display in the LCD tap the “yes” button to confirm

6. Close of voting

The screen would prompt for the first BEI pin code

6. Close of voting

The screen would prompt for the second BEI pin code

6. Close of voting

The screen would display the message “THE POLL IS BEING CLOSED…….PLEASE WAIT”

POLL IS BEINGCLOSED. PLEASE

WAIT. . .

6. Close of voting

The Screen would ask for the digital signature

7. Inputting digital signature

Tap the Ibutton dedicated for the digital signature

7. Inputting digital signature

Screen would display “Preparing Election Returns please wait”.

PREPARING ELECTION RETURNS.

PLEASE WAIT. . .

8. Printing 8 copies

The PCOS machine will print 8 copies of Election Returns for National Positions

PRINTING 8 COPIESOF ELECTION

RETURNS (ER) FOR NATIONAL POSITIONS

 PLEASE WAIT. . .

8. Printing 8 copies

The PCOS machine would print 8 copies of Election Returns for Local Positions

PRINTING 8 COPIESOF ELECTION

RETURNS (ER) FOR LOCAL POSITIONS

 PLEASE WAIT. . .

8. Printing 8 copies

The screen would display a message that the PCOS is ready to transmit and ask the BEI to plug the transmission cable.

READY TO TRANSMIT 

PLEASE PLUG INTRANSMISSION CABLETO ELECTRONICALLYTRANSMIT ELECTION

REPORTS

9. Transmission

After the BEI plugs the transmission cable, the PCOS would automatically transmit the results to the designated recipients.

ELECTRONICALLYTRANSMITTING

ELECTION REPORTSTO MBOC

 PLEASE WAIT. . .

ELECTRONICALLYTRANSMITTING

ELECTION REPORTSTO KBP, POLPARTIES ANDCITIZENS ARM

 PLEASE WAIT. . .

9. Transmission

After the PCOS finished transmission the screen would give a confirmation message that all election reports are transmitted.

ELECTION REPORTSSUCCESSFULLY

TRANSMITTED TOKBP, POL PARTIESAND CITIZENS ARM

9. Transmission

The screen would remind the BEI’s to replace the Thermal Paper

9. Printing 22 copies

The PCOS would print the 22 copies of the Election Returns

PRINTING 22 COPIESOF ELECTION

RETURNS (ER) FORNATIONAL POSITIONS

 PLEASE WAIT. . .

PRINTING 22 COPIESOF ELECTION

RETURNS (ER) FORLOCAL POSITIONS

 PLEASE WAIT. . .

9. Printing 22 copies

It would also print the Statistic reports and the Audit logs

PRINTING AUDIT LOG 

PLEASE WAIT. . .

PRINTINGSTATISTICS REPORT

 PLEASE WAIT. . .

9. Printing 22 copies

The screen would display the message that all closing functions has been successfully completed and it would back up the data

ALL CLOSINGFUNCTIONS HAVE

BEEN SUCCESSFULLYCOMPLETED.

THE PCOS WILL NOWBACKUP ELECTION

DATA ANDWRITE PROTECT THE

BACKUP CARD

BACKING UPELECTION DATAPLEASE WAIT. . .

10. Closing functions

Tap the shut down button to start the process in shutting down the PCOS machine.

10. Closing functions

The screen would ask you if you are certain that you want to shut down the PCOS, Tap “yes”

10. Closing functions

The screen would display that the PCOS is shutting down

SHUTTING DOWN. . .

10. Closing functions

COMMON MESSAGESUsual text messages encountered

during Voting. They are displayed on the LCD of PCOS.

Voting Process Exception Handling

The following are some examples of exceptional handling messages that could be encountered during election.

• INVALID• MISREAD• MULTIPLE SHEET• PAPER JAM• DUPLICATE BALLOT• AMBIGUOUS

Invalid Ballot

“INVALID BALLOT DETECTED. PLEASE ENSURE YOU RECEIVED THE CORRECT BALLOT”

An invalid ballot is a ballot that belongs to a different clustered precinct from the one that the PCOS is assigned to. It happens when a user inserts a ballot from the wrong city/municipality/precinct/region/district for a particular PCOS unit.

Misread Paper

“W A R N I N G!****************

PAPER INSERTED WAS MISREAD AND COULD NOT BE VERIFIED AS A VALID BALLOT. PLEASE VERIFY BALLOT

AND REFEED.”

A ballot that cannot be read by the PCOS for whatever reason is considered misread. This includes legitimate ballots that have been improperly scanned or foreign pieces of paper are present.

Multiple Sheet

“MULTIFEED DETECTED.PLEASE INSERT ONLY ONE BALLOT AT A TIME.”

A multiple sheet warning message prompts in the LCD when more than one paper ballot is inserted in the machine simultaneously.

Paper Jam

“POSSIBLE PAPER JAM DETECTED.PLEASE CLEAR ANY PAPER FROM THE DEVICE AND

PRESS THE ‘CLEARED’ BUTTON”

Paper jams or ballot blockages are rare events but can occur. The message below is displayed in the screen in this situation.

Duplicate Ballot (Previously Scanned Ballot)

“THIS BALLOT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY SCANNED.”

A warning message displays when PCOS detects that the ballot inserted has already been scanned. No votes will be registered for the ballot when the message below displays on the screen.

Ambiguous MarkingW A R N I N G !***************

ONE OR MORE AMBIGUOUS MARKS DETECTED ON THE BALLOT. PLEASE CORRECT ALL AMBIGUOUS MARKS AND REFEED THE

BALLOT.

An ambiguous mark warning occurs when the device detects a mark that is unclear. There are two possible types of ambiguous marks:1. The voter has made a mark that is too light, which needs to be darkened in order to be clearly counted as a vote.2. The voter has inadvertently made a small mark in a box where they had not intended to.

The system cannot be certain of the voter’s intent thus, the mark is neither a definite vote nor a non-vote. The screen displays the above message.

PCOS Technician’s Training