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Thursday, Mar 19, 2026
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Successful Final Testing and Sealing of Automated Counting Machines Completed in Central Visayas
Comelec 7 reports smooth process ahead of elections scheduled for May 12, involving significant use of technology for voting.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Region 7 has successfully completed the final testing and sealing of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) at polling precincts across Central Visayas, concluding the process on May 7, 2025. Francisco Pobe, the director of Comelec 7, confirmed that there were no technical glitches reported, and the transport of ACMs to polling centers in the provinces of Bohol and Cebu proceeded without incident.
Comelec 7 Election Assistant Officer John Raymund Ceniza highlighted the importance of this testing phase, noting that it ensures ACMs function correctly using mock ballots.
Although issues related to internet connectivity were encountered during the testing, Ceniza stated these challenges were resolved effectively.
Testing began at some precincts on May 6 and concluded on the following day, May 7.
The ACMs utilized the Starlink system, which is designed to provide reliable internet connectivity for transmitting election data and results.
Due to security concerns regarding installation sites, some polling centers will receive their ACMs a few hours before the polls open on May 12.
New units of ACMs feature advanced reading technology capable of reading ballots that are shaded up to 50 percent.
In the event that any machines are found defective during testing, they will be immediately replaced with backup units.
These malfunctioning ACMs will be sent to repair hubs located in the cities of Cebu, Danao, Carcar, and the Camotes Group of Islands, ensuring a rapid turnaround for repairs.
Backup ACMs are distributed proportionally among local Comelec offices.
The total number of ACMs allocated for the region includes one machine for each of the 27,098 precincts, serving approximately 4.4 million registered voters throughout Central Visayas.
Cebu province contains 3.4 million registered voters, organized across 4,120 clustered precincts.
In Mandaue City, the final sealing of ACMs was reported to be conducted smoothly, with Election Officer II Jacquelyn Reuyan confirming no major issues arose during the process.
Mandaue City has deployed 271 ACMs along with 38 backup machines.
Local residents participating in mock voting expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the new system, noting improvements over previous elections.
Likewise, Lapu-Lapu City successfully conducted its simultaneous final testing and sealing of ACMs across 38 designated voting centers.
According to Election Officer Ann Janette Lamban, the tested machines have been secured in their respective classrooms and are being monitored overnight by personnel from the Philippine National Police.
The Comelec Lapu-Lapu City Office has deployed a total of 302 ACMs, supplemented by 42 backup units.
Additionally, they received three boxes of indelible ink and 302 bundles of official ballots on May 6. The city has prepared a standby generator to ensure power supply during canvassing at the session hall in City Hall.
Comelec 7 Election Assistant Officer John Raymund Ceniza highlighted the importance of this testing phase, noting that it ensures ACMs function correctly using mock ballots.
Although issues related to internet connectivity were encountered during the testing, Ceniza stated these challenges were resolved effectively.
Testing began at some precincts on May 6 and concluded on the following day, May 7.
The ACMs utilized the Starlink system, which is designed to provide reliable internet connectivity for transmitting election data and results.
Due to security concerns regarding installation sites, some polling centers will receive their ACMs a few hours before the polls open on May 12.
New units of ACMs feature advanced reading technology capable of reading ballots that are shaded up to 50 percent.
In the event that any machines are found defective during testing, they will be immediately replaced with backup units.
These malfunctioning ACMs will be sent to repair hubs located in the cities of Cebu, Danao, Carcar, and the Camotes Group of Islands, ensuring a rapid turnaround for repairs.
Backup ACMs are distributed proportionally among local Comelec offices.
The total number of ACMs allocated for the region includes one machine for each of the 27,098 precincts, serving approximately 4.4 million registered voters throughout Central Visayas.
Cebu province contains 3.4 million registered voters, organized across 4,120 clustered precincts.
In Mandaue City, the final sealing of ACMs was reported to be conducted smoothly, with Election Officer II Jacquelyn Reuyan confirming no major issues arose during the process.
Mandaue City has deployed 271 ACMs along with 38 backup machines.
Local residents participating in mock voting expressed satisfaction with the efficiency of the new system, noting improvements over previous elections.
Likewise, Lapu-Lapu City successfully conducted its simultaneous final testing and sealing of ACMs across 38 designated voting centers.
According to Election Officer Ann Janette Lamban, the tested machines have been secured in their respective classrooms and are being monitored overnight by personnel from the Philippine National Police.
The Comelec Lapu-Lapu City Office has deployed a total of 302 ACMs, supplemented by 42 backup units.
Additionally, they received three boxes of indelible ink and 302 bundles of official ballots on May 6. The city has prepared a standby generator to ensure power supply during canvassing at the session hall in City Hall.
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