Comelec eyes completion of ACMs delivery by May 1

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is eyeing to finish the delivery of the 110,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) for Eleksyon 2025 by May 1, its chairperson said Wednesday.

“By April 30, dapat ang mga balota ay nasa opisina na ng mga treasurer at ang mga makina, dapat by May 1, nasa mga teachers na po,” said Comelec Chair George Garcia at the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel. 

(By April 30, the ballots should be in the treasurers' offices and the machines, by May 1, should be with the teachers.)

Garcia also said that the poll body aims to complete the deployment of the official printed ballots by Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

The Comelec started deploying the official ballots and other election paraphernalia for the upcoming May midterm elections on Tuesday, April 22.

According to Garcia, the poll body is prioritizing the delivery of ballots to far-flung areas to ensure that these are all set before the final testing and sealing of ballots and ACMs from May 2 to May 8.

During the final testing and sealing, Garcia said all teachers who will serve as poll workers will test the ACMs in precincts nationwide to determine if the ballots and the election machines are working properly. He also said ten voters will cast ballots as part of the process. 

“Ito ay upang alamin kung ang mga machines ay gumagana nang tama,” Garcia added. 

(This will determine if the machines are working.)

The ACMs will be sealed and stored at the voting precincts after the test. They will be safeguarded by the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the  Philippine National Police. 

Meanwhile, Garcia said the ballots will be kept by the Office of the City or Municipal Treasurers, and the ACMs, batteries, and ballot boxes will be under the custody of the local Comelec offices.—VAL, GMA Integrated News

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