The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has clarified that the election materials seen in a video taken at the municipal hall of Lumbayanague, Lanao del Sur are old ballot boxes, not automated counting machines (ACMs) as claimed by an election volunteer.

A cellphone video taken by the election volunteer showed several election materials inside a room at the municipal hall while voting was reportedly still in progress on Monday, May 12, 2025.

The volunteer claimed she saw about 20 ACMs near the toilet around 6 p.m.

“Paglabas ko sa CR, naka-flashlight yung kasama ko nakita namin yung ACM machine na andun sa CR sa tapat ng CR tapos ang dami mga 20 plus yun na ACM machine,” the election volunteer said.

She also claimed that members of the electoral board allegedly allowed several individuals to enter the polling precinct even if they were not on the voters’ list.

“Bakit may nakatambak na ACM machine dito sa likod ng munisipyo, hindi ko naman sila ka partido pero nakakahinala tapos hindi pa nag end ang voting sa electioon day,” she added.

However, Lumbayanague election officer Monefa Padate addressed the allegations, saying that the items seen in the video are not ACMs but old ballot boxes from the 2022 elections.

Padate explained that the old ballot boxes were stored at the back of the Office of the Municipal Treasurer, as the office was cleared to make space for the new ballot boxes for the 2025 midterm polls.

“The ballot boxes that was shown in the video were old ballot boxes from the 2022 elections. Ang nangyari po kasi yata, it was stored sa likod ng office of the Municipal Treasurer kasi yung office was vacated or gi-clear siya para doon ilagay ang mga ballot boxes na bago na ginamit po sa 2025 elections,” Padate said.

Padate said that after every election, the Treasurer’s Office is tasked to keep the election paraphernalia as mandated by law.

She added their office is open to receive any election protest from candidates.