Nearly 10 teachers who were supposed to serve as members of the electoral board for the 2025 national and local elections in Cotabato City have backed out due to personal reasons.

According to Cotabato City election officer, Atty. Dindo Maglasang, the teachers withdrew from electoral board duties prior to the final testing and sealing (FTS) of automated counting machines (ACMs) on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

COMELEC-Cotabato City had to augment the electoral board with police personnel who were trained to operate the ACMs during the final testing and sealing.

“So far, prior to the conduct of FTS, meron sumulat… less than 10 na teachers natin, nag-back out na… may personal reason. When the FTS conducted the other day, ang ginawa namin nag-augment kami ng PNP personnel who are also trained with the ACM,” Maglasang said.

The poll body said more police personnel may be assigned as members of the electoral board if more teachers decide to withdraw.

However, COMELEC-Cotabato City assured the public that a contingency plan is in place in case of a worst-case scenario.

“I’m expecting worst scenario during election day because we cannot prevent them to withdraw due to personal reason, threat, or health reasons. So, with that, ready naman kami… meron tayong contingency plan coordinating with our uniformed personnel who are also trained. So far, with ACM and also duly certified by the DOST or MOST-BARMM,” Maglasang added.

Meanwhile, COMELEC-Cotabato City said at least four ACMs encountered technical issues during the FTS. However, the problems were resolved after being referred to the National Technical Support Center.