Comelec to hold fair for automated election systems tech in April

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to hold a voters’ fair in April this year to know the latest automated election systems (AES) technologies as part of their preparations for the 2028 national elections.

Comelec commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. said the fair – with various AES providers and the Comelec advisory council in attendance – will be held at the Manila Hotel.

“By April magkakaroon tayo ng voters’ fair. Lahat ng available technologies in the market iimibitahan natin,” Maceda said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday.

(We will hold a voters’ fair by April. We invited all available technologies in the market.)

“Ang intention niyan ay makita natin what are the doable and practicable technologies on the market,” he added.

(Our intention is to see the doable and practicable technologies on the market.)

Maceda said the poll body is getting started on its preparations for the 2028 presidential elections.

As part of their preparations, he said the Comelec will begin outlining the terms of reference (TOR) for the secured electoral transmission (SETs) in March.

The procurement of the AES machines may follow upon the conclusion of the voters’ fair, with the drafting of its TORs beginning by the end of the year or by 2027, Maceda added.

“Makakasiguro ho kayo na we are continuing in doing our job... Our structures and our processes are in place as early as now so that the trust of the people in what your choices are going to be in 2028 ay hindi maaapektuhan,” the commissioner said.

(The public can be assured that we are continuing in doing our job. Our structures and our processes are in place as early as now so that the trust of the people in what your choices are going to be in 2028 will not be affected.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News