An election watchdog has raised concerns during the final testing and sealing of automated counting machines (ACMs) in Davao City on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

The Archdiocesan Citizen Engagement Committee-Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (ACE-PPCRV) and members of the media witnessed the demonstration of how ACMs function during the activity.

A mock voting session followed during which volunteers cast ballots to check if the ACMs would accept them.

Voters must properly shade the circles that correspond to the names of the candidates.

According to a report by GMA News Online, voters were advised to make sure the timing marks on the ballots are not compromised.

Voters may also undervote or put in less than the maximum number of candidates for the post. But one should not overvote — for instance, voting for 13 senators instead of 12 — as this will cause problems.

During the mock voting, ACE-PPCRV spokesperson, Atty. Aileen Lizada, tried to overvote, but the machine still accepted the ballot.

“In another ballot, I overvoted 13 and binoto ko according to decotech dito hindi binabasa pero ang overvote ko binasa,” Lizada said.

“We want to test the machines kasi nagtataka ako may letter a hanggang v napasok siya dito who chooses ang 12 ko ay ito despite na nag overvote ako or random lang ba na nacho-choose siya,” Lizada added.

However, the Commission on Elections-Davao (COMELEC-11) explained that the machine accepted the ballot because one of the circles was not actually shaded. Instead, a square mark was placed outside the circle.

“Square ang nilagay niya outside the circle bale hindi na touch ang circle walang shade na nalagay sa circle but the square is outside the circle which means hindi counted ng machine, walang shading sa circle. Dapat you properly shade the circle ng mga candidate na gusto niyo para it will be counted by the machine. Walang problem basta lumagpas basta wag lang lumagpas into other circle kai count yon,” COMELEC-11 Assistant Director, Atty. Gay Enumerables, said.

The  poll watchdog also observed that some ACMs were not functioning, including the machine at a clustered precinct in Lapu-Lapu Elementary School that did not work due to missing parts such as the smart card and PIN code.

Another issue was reported at Quezon Elementary School where an ACM encountered a problem with internal data.

Aside from ACM-related concerns, ACE-PPCRV also monitored tents inside polling centers bearing names of candidates.

Authorities immediately covered the names on the tents and removed several campaign posted placed within the voting centers.

(With reports from GMA News Online)