By Leslie Ann Aquino

The introduction of the Voter Registration Verification System (VRVS) in the May 13, 2019 National and Local polls could result in an additional five minutes in the voting process.

“We expect that the use of VRVS will not exceed five minutes. This is aside from the expected time for an ordinary voter of about 10 minutes,” Commission on Elections Spokesman James Jimenez said.

In anticipation of such delay, he said voting time will start as early as 6 a.m. instead of 7 a.m.

“This is the reason why our voting time was made 6AM to 6PM. We hope that that will accommodate the additional delay,” said Jimenez.

The poll official, however, believes that the use of the VRVS will speed up the voting process in the future elections.

“When we go into the full implementation in the future, that is the only process that will be used. At that point, it will be even quicker since we have gone digital,” said Jimenez.

To note, the poll body is automating the system of verification of voter registration this coming polls to further develop the electoral system of voting.

Earlier, Comelec Special Bids and Awards Committee Chairman Thaddeus Hernan said the automation of the voter registration verification aims to aid electoral boards or Board of Election Inspectors in verifying the identity of a voter presenting himself before the board.

The VRVS will be pilot tested in all polling precincts in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Manila, and Quezon City.

It will also be utilized in selected polling precincts in Pangasinan, Cavite, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao del Sur.

The Comelec purchased nearly 35,000 VRVS units for the pilot testing.