Several registered voters arrived dawn on May 12, 2025 at Baluarte Elementary School in Iloilo City in time for the opening of polling precincts. However, they were made to wait a little longer because of a few glitches in the automated counting machines (ACMS).

The Department of Education Supervising Officer Technical Support staff members have resolved the technical issue right away.

“Lumalabas ang papel ngunit bumabalik kaagad,” Mary Ann, a voter, said.

In Oton Central Elementary School in Iloilo Province, temper of a few voters was as hot as the weather. Voters pointed out that they had to wait for their turn for nearly an hour, only to wait further because of paper jam. 

Aside from the paper jam in ACMs at voting precincts in Barangay Poblacion South, there were voters who inserted in the already long queues that got the ire of other voters.

“Mahirap, nakakapagod rin tumindig at mainit pa,” Maria Filomena Cabardo, a voter, said.

“Tina-try rin namin na ma-fix siya at automatically nag-okay naman,” said Carlo Mallorca, DESO Technical Support staff member.

Moreover, it took also a one-hour delay after an ACM malfunctioned at a voting precinct in Sara Central Elementary School in Iloilo.

The ACM rejected ballots.

The glitch affected a few senior citizens who already had to deal with the lack of chairs in their polling precinct.

“Pagdating dito, sira ang machine, anong gagawin mo? May mga sakit pa ang nakapila dito,” alias "Inday," a senior citizen, said.

During the troubleshooting done by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)-Sara, it was learned that dirt accumulated in the ACM scanner.

“May nakitang debris dito. Yun ang nag-cause kasi sensitive ang ating scanner,” according to COMELEC-Sara Election Officer Augusto Luis Celis.

COMELEC 6 Director, Atty. Dennis Ausan, pointed out that the challenges encountered were just "minor problem."

"Wala tayong failure of elections as far as Region 6 (Western Visayas) is concerned. We are happy to note that so far, may mga concerns, issues… very common and very minor as we call it,” Ausan said.

Meanwhile, the heat index in Iloilo City reached 42 degrees Celsius on Election Day based on PAGASA forecast.

Voters brought fans, some of these are rechargeable. Others used cartons as improvised fans to deal with the sweltering heat. Several voters waited for their turn under the shade of trees.  

“Mainit. Buti na lang at mahangin ang presinto namin,” said Ana Fe, another voter.

A few voters in other polling centers in Iloilo City complained of feeling ill due to the high heat index.