Comelec: Over 3K machines needed for BARMM polls

More than 3,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) will be required in conducting the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in October, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec). 

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Thursday said at least 3,200 to 3,300 ACMs will be needed if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will sign the proposed bill moving the Bangsamoro polls from May 12 to October 13, 2025. 

“2.3 million ang botante sa Bangsamoro. Sa 2.3 million, mga 3,000 machines ang kakailanganing gamitin hindi pa kasama ang mga contingency machines…Aabutin siguro ng 3,200 to 3,300 na makina ang gagamitin,” said Garcia. 

(There are 2.3 million voters in the Bangsamoro. For the 2.3 million, we would be needing at least 3,000 machines, excluding those for the contingency. Around 3,200 to 3,300 would be needed for the polls.)

On Tuesday, the bicameral conference committee finalized the proposed measure on resetting the Bangsamoro elections. Garcia said he considers the Bangsamoro polls as a special elections, as it will no longer coincide with the upcoming midterm elections.

“Maaaring for the purposes of law, sinabi dun na continuation para sa procurement process. Sapagkat maaaring alam ng mga mambabatas na mahaba ang proseso ng procurement samantalang kung continuation, per law, pwede kaming magka-amendment to order lang. Ang dating…parang supplemental order lang sa aming nagawang order para sa eleksyon sa Mayo,” said Garcia. 

(They may have indicated that it is a continuation of the national and local elections for the procurement process. It would take a lot of time to procure machines for a special election but if it is a continuation, we can just create an amendment to our existing order.)

The poll body would need at least P2.5 billion for the holding of the elections, with the majority of the expenses to be allocated as honorarium to teachers serving as poll workers.

Asked if the Comelec will use the ACMs procured by South Korean firm Miru Systems Inc., he said: “The option still remains with the Comelec”.

“Hindi pupwede maitali ng bagay-bagay kung ang purpose nito ay siguraduhin na maayos ang ating halalan. Sa kasalukuyan, maayos ang pakikitungo ng Miru System. Lahat ng mga pagbabago na gusto namin ay binigay nila sa atin. Lahat ng makina ay dumating on time. So far, maayos naman ang pinapakita nila kaya lang tingnan din natin kung maayos ba ang makina pagdating ng elections,” he added. 

(Things cannot be tied down if the purpose is to ensure that our elections run smoothly. Miru System is currently cooperating well with us. They have provided us with all the changes we requested and the ACMs arrived on time. They have been performing well so far but we also need to see if the machines would operate smoothly during the elections.)

In February 2024, the Comelec awarded to Miru the P17.99-billion contract for the procurement of a new automated election system for the 2025 elections. The contract covered ACMs and peripherals, including ballot boxes and laptops. The contract has been questioned before the Supreme Court over alleged violations of the poll automation law. —AOL, GMA Integrated News

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