Comelec to test ACMs for 2025 polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is all set for the field tests of the new automated counting machines (ACMs) to be used in the May 2025 midterm polls.

The field tests will be conducted from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday in Taguig, Pateros, Manila, Batanes, Palawan, Antique, Tawi-Tawi, Davao del Sur and the Special Geographic Area Kapalawan in BARMM.

There will also be field testing of ACMs in New York, Japan, Athens and Dubai.

Yesterday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia also reported that the poll body has already received 84,944 or 78.13 percent out of the 110,000 ACMs procured from Korean-based firm Miru Systems.

He further noted that 43,136 or 39.21 percent of the delivered ACMs have undergone the mandatory Hardware Acceptance Test.

According to Garcia, not only the ACMs but also the Consolidated Canvassing System and transmission will be checked during the field test on Saturday.

So far, the commission has not encountered any major issue in the previous tests conducted.

Issues to be encountered and findings during the field tests, Comelec said, shall be forwarded to the technology provider for proper adjustment.

Comelec Information Technology Department director Jeannie Flororita said the field test is an internal activity, but the poll chief opted to make it public for transparency.

Areas with poor signals, Flororita said, were selected as venues for the field test.

Like in Taguig, she said, transmission is difficult although it is in Metro Manila.