Comelec kicks off final testing, sealing of ACMs for Eleksyon 2025

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) started Friday the final testing and sealing (FTS) of the automated counting machines (ACMs) in some polling precincts ahead of Eleksyon 2025.

In Pateros, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia led the FTS in a polling precinct at the Pateros Elementary School.

Pateros Elementary School is among the polling precincts to first conduct the FTS, which was scheduled from May 2 to May 7.

“May mga lugar na nagkaisa na centralized FTS in the presence of everyone," said Garcia.

(Some local Comelec offices agreed to conduct a centralized FTS.)

During FTS, the electoral board members (ERBs) will conduct an end-to-end test of the ACMs, including the initialization of the machines.

Ten voters will also be allowed to cast ballots using the machines. After voting, their votes will be counted manually and compared to the results from the ACMs.

After the FTS, the ACMs will be sealed and stored at the Office of the Department Education Supervisor Official (DESO) to be safeguarded by members of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines until the May 12 elections.

At least 110,000 ACMs were distributed nationwide for the May midterm elections.

Early this month, the Comelec said it is targeting to complete the delivery of the voting machines by May 1.  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.