Some test ballots were invalidated due to overvoting during the final testing and sealing of vote-counting machines in District 2 of Cauayan City on Wednesday, May 7.

The issue happened in three clustered precincts during a mock election activity.

Despite this, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said the automated counting machines (ACMs) worked without glitches.

Officials said the overvoting was minor and did not affect the machine’s performance.

Overvoting happens when a voter selects more candidates than allowed for a particular position, causing the votes for that position to be considered invalid.

COMELEC said standby machines are ready in case problems arise on election day.

DESO Chairperson Teresa Daguro-Aronce said the machines ran smoothly during testing.

“Procedure how to open the ACM… may mga volunteers na nag-vote… nakita niyo naman kanina… ’yung smooth naman ang paglagay ng mga balota, nakita naman ang receipt…” she said.