Comelec launches Random Manual Committee for Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday launched the Random Manual Audit (RMA) Committee for Eleksyon 2025.

According to poll chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the RMA is mandated by law and is a vital process conducted after every election to maintain the integrity and transparency of the elections.

“Yan ay nakalagay sa batas…Sinasabi pagkatapos nang bawat election, mayroon tayong gagawin na RMA…Titingnan lahat ng laman, bibilangin ang balota, pati iba pang gamit na nasa loob ng ballot box at titingnan din kung ito ay tumutugma, ang mga bilang ng balota, manually counted dun sa mismong result ng machine na mayroon namang election returns,” said Garcia. 

(It is mandated by law. After every election, we are mandated to conduct an RMA, which will examine ballots and manually audit them to check if the results match those from machines with election returns.)

“For the last several years since 2010…99.9% lagi ang accuracy ng RMA natin,” he said. 

(For the last several years, since 2010, the RMA results have been 99.9%.)

At least 762 randomly selected clustered precincts and one online post casting ballots through the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) will be part of the RMA for the May polls. 

The test will start on May 13 and will last for 45 days. 

"Electronic raffle po yan na mismong PSA [Philippine Statistics Authority] ang mag-undertake na dadaan sa source code review ang sistema na gagamitin para ma-raffle ng maayos ang 762 na precincts, at isa sa abroad. Puwede din po magdagdag ng mga lugar or posts sa abroad para sa RMA, depende na sa request ng committee," he added. 

Section 29 of the Automated Election System (AES) Act states that “there shall be a random manual audit in one precinct per congressional district randomly chosen by the Commission in each province and city” where the AES is used. 

The Random Manual Audit Team, led by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, includes representatives from election watchdogs LENTE and NAMFREL. —LDF, GMA Integrated News

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