MANILA – The final batch of automated counting machines (ACMs) are awaiting shipment from Busan, South Korea to the Philippines, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday.
In a statement, the poll body reported that the ACMs are now at the Busan New Port Complex where some of its officials witnessed the cargo storage, handling, and eventual containerization of the final batch.
It said the remaining batch of ACM kits were forklifted and stored in two secure intermediate shipping containers holding a total of more than 1, 000 boxes of ACM kits at the CJ BND Logistics Center in Busan New Port Complex in South Korea on Thursday.
Each kit consists of the ACM, hard case, and power cords and adapters.
The cargo ship that will transport the final batch of ACM kits, as per the terms of the contract for the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit and Count (FASTrAC) project, is set to arrive at the container terminal on Novembr 3.
The shipment of the two cargo containers is targeted on Nov. 4 and delivery at the Comelec warehouse in Biñan, Laguna is expected next month.
On Oct. 30, the Comelec said the Miru Systems Joint Venture, the service provider of the PHP17-billion project has concluded the production of 110, 620 machines and peripherals at Miru Plant in the said country.
The South Korean firm manufactured the ACMs that will be used to automate the May 12, 2025 midterm and Bangsamoro parliamentary elections. (PNA)