Mandaue City has acquired 271 Advanced Charging Stations
Get ready for a crackdown on fraud in Mandaue City during the upcoming national and local elections on May 12, with a staggering 271 Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) and other crucial election equipment being closely guarded.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Mandaue, led by Election Officer II Jackielyn Reuyan, will take charge of coordination and supervision over logistics to guarantee a secure, transparent, and effective electoral process for all voters in the city.
Deliveries will be made to the 29 polling centers spread across Mandaue City.
besides the ACMs, the Comelec is also focusing on securing other election materials including forms, markers, secrecy folders, and various other essential items needed for the counting process, except the official ballots, which are closely monitored and not subject to theft.
With potential threats looming on election day, the Comelec has prepared 38 contingency machines to serve as backup. These backup ACMs will be stationed at the Mandaue City Sports Complex, ready to be deployed at any problematic precincts.
In terms of law enforcement support, eight uniformed officers have been assigned to watch over polling precincts, ensuring the safety of election materials such as the ACMs and ballot boxes from pickup to voting day's end.
These officers will also be on standby to maintain order and address any suspicious activities or issues that may arise during the election.
Reuyan stated, "The official ballots will be delivered directly to the polling precincts on the morning of May 12 under strict security protocols." / CAV
While specific details about security measures adopted for the delivery and storage of ACMs and other election materials in Mandaue City are not readily available, we can look to broader security context in Cebu Province and statements from national and regional police officials to glean a better understanding of potential measures in place across polling centers for the May 12 elections in the Philippines:
Security Measures for Delivery and Storage of Election Materials
1. Early Deployment and Heightened Alert Status- Police on Full Alert: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been on full alert status nationwide since the start of the election period, with over 235,000 officers mobilized. This status covers the entire election period, including the delivery and storage phases of election materials[1].- Local Proactive Deployment: In Cebu City, for example, police forces have raised their alert status and deployed at least 1,500 officers citywide, even before formal national orders, to secure areas where election paraphernalia, including ballots and ACMs, are distributed and stored. This includes polling centers, key election offices, and surrounding communities[5].
2. Physical Security and Police Presence- Polling Centers and Storage Areas: Police units have heightened their presence in polling centers, storage facilities, and other critical areas associated with the electoral process[1][5].- Anti-Criminality Operations: Alongside election security, police are conducting anti-criminality operations to deter threats and ensure the safe transport and storage of materials[5].
3. Coordination and Support- Inter-Agency Collaboration: The PNP is working closely with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and other government agencies to ensure safe delivery and custody of ACMs and other election materials. Reactionary standby support and quick reaction forces are also on standby to respond to any incidents[1].- Simulation Exercises: Local police units, including the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), have conducted simulation exercises to test and enhance their preparedness in handling election-related incidents, including the transport and security of election materials[2].
4. Professionalism and Non-Partisanship- Strict Adherence to Protocols: Police officers are instructed to remain professional, strictly adhere to police operational procedures, and avoid any involvement in illegal activities or partisan politics[1][3].- Disciplinary Action for Misconduct: Any form of political bias or misconduct among police officers is met with disciplinary action, ensuring the integrity of the security deployment[3].
These measures are designed to ensure the safe and secure delivery, storage, and use of Automated Counting Machines and other election paraphernalia throughout the election process[1][2][5].
- In light of the upcoming national and local elections on May 12, the Mandaue City Elections Commission, concerned about the security of election materials, is also focusing on securing forms, markers, secrecy folders, and other essential items needed for the counting process, along with the 271 Automated Counting Machines.
- Recognizing the potential threats during the elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Mandaue City has prepared 38 contingency machines to serve as backup for the ACMs and will be stationed at the Mandaue City Sports Complex for immediate deployment in any problematic precincts.
- For the safety of the election materials, including the ACMs, eight uniformed officers have been assigned to maintain order and address any suspicious activities or issues that may arise during the election, while also securing the ballot boxes during pickup and on voting day's end.
- Amidst the focus on securing election materials, Reuyan stated that the official ballots will be delivered directly to the polling precincts on the morning of May 12 under strict security protocols coordinated by the CAV.
- Examining broader security contexts, it is assumed that potential measures in place across polling centers in the Philippines for the May 12 elections will encompass early deployment and heightened alert status, physical security and police presence, coordination and support, and strict professionalism and non-partisanship among officers.
