Comelec conducts final testing and sealing of ACMs for BARMM elections

The Commission on Elections on Saturday conducted a final testing and sealing of automated counting machines (ACMs) in Mindanao as part of preparations for the 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao parliamentary elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia personally witnessed the final testing and sealing of ACMs at the Cotabato City Institute in Cotabato City, one of the polling centers.

The final testing and sealing of ACMs is being done to ensure 100% readiness for and safe and honest conduct of the September 14 BARMM parliamentary elections.

In an update by GMA Regional TV's James Paolo Yap, electoral boards also conducted simultaneous final testing and sealing at Bito Elementary School in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, led by Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Nabil Mutia.

Yap said more than 7,000 voters are expected to cast their ballots at the school, one of the voting centres in Lanao del Sur.

Meanwhile, police are on standby at the Dalican Pilot Elementary School in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte for the arrival of ACMs and their final testing and sealing.

Poll watchers are also on site to observe the event.

According to the Dalican Pilot Elementary School administration, 16 rooms will be used as polling places. Each room will have one ACM.

Areas of concern, heightened security

The Philippine National Police on Friday said a full alert status has been raised in BARMM for the first parliamentary elections.

In a “24 Oras Weekend” report by Jun Veneracion, authorities reminded the public that the heightened security measures were meant to serve as a deterrent and that residents had nothing to fear.

“On Monday, voters should not be afraid because this is merely a deterrent against those who intend to commit wrongdoing, or what we call election spoilers,” 2nd Mechanized Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Raul Escat said.

In Maguindanao del Sur, at least three areas were classified as areas of grave concern: Shariff Aguak, Mamasapano and Datu Piang.

Comelec said it had prepared for possible scenarios leading up to the elections, including security threats and potential power interruptions.

Maguindanao del Sur Election Supervisor Atty. Allan Kadon said authorities continued to monitor possible vote-buying in the province.

“In case anyone is caught buying or selling votes, we can immediately make a warrantless arrest and have the person apprehended,” Kadon said.

In Veneracion's report, the Philippine Army said as of Saturday that it had not monitored any recent unrest in the area, but troops remained on full alert.

"We still need to prepare and stay ready because we are also considering the proliferation of loose firearms owned by various lawless armed groups,” Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division spokesperson Lt. Col. Ronald Suscano said.

In Lamitan City, Basilan, an unidentified suspect fired several shots at the residence of an election candidate, wounding one of the candidate's relatives.

Authorities said they had yet to determine whether the incident was election-related.

“This is an isolated incident. We are still verifying whether this will qualify as an election-related incident,” Lamitan City Police Chief P/Lt. Col. Vladimir Hilarion said.

According to Comelec, Maguindanao del Sur has more than 460,000 registered voters. The commission appealed to the public to participate in Monday's elections.

Rido

Garcia said Comelec was also continuing to monitor rido, or clan feuds, in the region.

“It never really goes away. There are many clan feuds in Lanao del Sur, which is why it is crucial that we do not simply approve requests to transfer polling precincts or voting centres,” Garcia said in a “24 Oras Weekend” report by GMA Regional TV's Jandi Esteban.

In Esteban's report, around 30,000 police and military personnel had been deployed for the BARMM elections.

She added that 108 international observers from 16 international organisations were set to monitor the polls.

READ: BARMM 2026 Elections: History, key dates, candidates, and everything you need to know

—with reports from Jandi Esteban and Efren Mamac of One Mindanao/GMA Regional TV/Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/KG/MCG, GMA News