MANILA – The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Thursday launched the “Operation QR Count” 2025, which aims to allow voters to independently verify the transmitted election results (ER) from their precincts on May 12.

Namfrel National Chairperson Lito Averia said through the Namfrel app, voters with smartphones connected to the internet could scan the election results’ QR code once posted outside the precinct around 7 p.m. on election day.  The posting of ER will happen before the votes are transmitted via the automated counting machines.

“Ang QR code ay i-scan gamit ang Namfrel 2025 app. Sa araw ng election, kahit walang internet ay maaaring mag-scan ngunit kailangan mo ng internet connection para maipadala ang mga datos sa Namfrel,” Averia said.

Namfrel, a Comelec-accredited citizens’ arm, would receive a real-time transmission of the election results.  Fernando Contreras, Jr., Namfrel’s systems head, said the data from scanned QR codes would be sent to their headquarters so they would be able to “match the results from the QR and the Comelec-transmitted election results” they would receive.

“Sa Namfrel website, makikita ng publiko kung anong transmitted election results ang may ka-match na precinct results na pinadala ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng ER QR code scanning,” said Contreras.

“Okay lang kung ilang beses nang na-scan ng mga tao ang same ER, mas magpapatibay nito ang pagbe-verify ng resulta ng presinto na iyun. Tandaan natin, i-scan ang lahat ng QR codes na makikita sa election returns, hindi isa lamang o dalawa, kundi lahat,” he added.

Asked what role the Namfrel would play during elections in ensuring the public would be able to cast their votes should some automated counting machines play, Averia said, “Ang basic diyan is if after polling hours may pila pa, lahat ng mga botante makakaboto, kailangan tapusin lahat yun.”

“Kunwari nagkaproblema ang makina, ang option na binibigay ng Comelec, iiwan ang mga balota sa electoral boards or pwedeng maghintay ang mga botante kung gusto nila na sila ang magpasok sa makina, hihintayin ang replacement machines,” he said.

Contreras said the automated counting machine developed by Miru is faster than the previous counting machines.

A 20-second screen checking, however, might happen and should be monitored on election day.

“Pinapaalalahan namin lahat na 7 [a.m.] to 7 [p.m.] ang pagboto. Agahan na natin,” he said.