Around 47K ACMs completed pre-accuracy tests — Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is targeting to complete the pre-election logic and accuracy test (Pre-LAT) of the 110,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) for Eleksyon 2025 by April 20, its chairperson said Monday.

Poll chief George Erwin Garcia said at least 47,000 ACMs underwent Pre-LAT. They are eyeing to finish the test in all election machines by April 20.

“As of today, nasa 47,000 ng 110,000 ang nate-test na makina. Hopefully, matapos natin yan by April 20,” said Garcia.

(As of today, around 47,000 out of 110,000 ACMs were tested. Hopefully, we’ll finish by April 20.)

On Monday, Comelec officials led the walkthrough of the pre-LAT for the election machines in one of their warehouses in Biñan, Laguna.

During the test, all components of the ACMs are being checked for their accuracy such as their hardware and software. Among the common issues the election machines encounter during pre-LAT include ballot rejection due to damaged ballots.

“Yan ang kadahilanan kung bakit hanggang ngayon wala pang TEC [ technical evaluation committee] certification. Kinakailangan tapusin muna ng Comelec ang accuracy test bago ma-issue ang TEC. Kahit dumating na ang certification ng ICE, di pa rin namin ine-eexpect na mag-issue ang TEC hanggang di natatapos ang test na ginagawa natin,” said Garcia.

(This is why the TEC has yet to issue a certification to us. We need to complete the accuracy test. While we have received the ICE certificate, we are not expecting the TEC to provide the certification to us.)

Section 11 of Republic Act No. 9369 stipulates the TEC “shall certify, through an established international certification entity to be chosen by the Commission from the recommendations of the Advisory Council, not later than three months before the date of the electoral exercises, categorically stating that the AES, including its hardware and software components, is operating properly, securely, and accurately”.

Ballots

Meanwhile, Garcia said at least 16 million to 18 million ballots are subject for verification, according to the Comlec. He reiterated they are targeting to verify 1.2 million to 1.3 million ballots per day.

The poll body finished the printing of the 68 million official ballots for the May polls on March 15, 2025. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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