Voting machines found to be problematic according to Comelec (Commission on Elections)
It's nearly the big day before midterm polls, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Wednesday, May 1, 2025, that all Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) set to be used on May 12 would undergo a thorough inspection.
During the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) interview at Pateros, Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed that a total of 93,629 ACMs are located in various local poll offices.
"As per our monitoring system, all the voting machines are already in the possession of the local Comelec," Garcia stated.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Comelec started testing the 93,629 ACMs as of May 1, with 16,371 contingency units scheduled for testing on April 4.
"Some local Comelec officials decided to do it by May 5 so that their entire provinces will synchronize the FTS. However, they have until May 7 to conduct it," Garcia added.
ADVERTISEMENT
The FTS is crucial for guaranteeing the machines are functioning correctly for the elections on May 12.
"This is the final test we will conduct. Therefore, they need to pass the Electoral Board's approval based on our guidelines," Garcia confirmed.
Under the Poll Automation Law, a final examination and testing of the machines used in multiple polling precincts is mandatory.
ADVERTISEMENT
During the final testing and examination, the voting machines must be initialized and calibrated by the Electoral Boards, and operations are limited to daytime on the voting day.
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Stages of the FTS Process:1. End-to-End Testing: Electoral board members conduct comprehensive tests, ensuring the machines are clean and free from preloaded votes.2. Manual Verification: A group of voters participate in a mock election, and their votes are manually counted and compared to the machine results to confirm accuracy.3. Sealing and Storage: After FTS, the ACMs are sealed and stored securely until election day.
Equipment Deployment: A total of 110,000 ACMs have been distributed nationwide, along with contingency units to tackle potential technical issues. In La Union, for instance, 840 ACMs, 117 contingency units, and canvassing system laptops were delivered to ensure flawless and secure elections.
This critical process ensures the readiness and reliability of the automated election system. The new ACMs include user-friendly touchscreen technology to enhance the voter experience.
- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that all Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) set to be used in the upcoming midterm elections will undergo a thorough inspection as part of the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) process.
- "As per our monitoring system, all the voting machines are already in the possession of the local Comelec," Garcia stated, confirming that the ACMs are located in various local poll offices, totaling 93,629 units.
- The FTS process is crucial for guaranteeing the machines are functioning correctly for the elections on May 12, with key stages including End-to-End Testing, Manual Verification, Sealing and Storage.
- To ensure flawless and secure elections, a total of 110,000 ACMs have been distributed nationwide, including canvassing system laptops, as part of the equipment deployment for the general elections.
