By Xander Ledesma
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has launched an automated counting machine (ACM) roadshow in Iloilo City, part of a nationwide effort to prepare voters for the 2025 midterm elections. The roadshow began on December 2 at Iloilo City National High School in the Molo District and will continue until January 31, 2025.
The initiative aims to familiarize voters with the ACM technology, which has been used in Philippine elections since 2010. Regional Election Director Dennis Ausan said the roadshow addresses the public’s growing interest in the automated electoral process and provides an opportunity to demonstrate enhancements made to the machines.
The ACMs, including the Optical Mark Reader technology, feature a 14-inch adjustable touchscreen, faster scanning capabilities, automatic receipt-cutting, and enhanced accessibility options. These improvements aim to streamline the voting process and ensure accuracy. The machines can now read ballots with as little as 15 percent shading and immediately transmit results after voting.
A total of 101 ACMs have been deployed across local government units in Panay and Guimaras, with one allocated to the regional Comelec office. After the roadshow ends in January, the machines will be returned to a warehouse in Laguna for reconfiguration before the May 12 elections.
Iloilo City Election Officer Pinky Tentativa explained that each voter will receive a single ballot, which will be fed into the ACM for counting. During the roadshow, attendees were given hands-on experience with the machines, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the voting process.
Election observer Ruben Gamala, representing the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), praised the simplicity and speed of the process. Local councilor Susanne Mates also expressed satisfaction with the improved features, describing the new machines as more user-friendly than those used in previous elections.
The Comelec also announced new policies for the 2025 elections, including early voting hours from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. and mall voting for vulnerable sectors to make the process more accessible.
This nationwide roadshow represents Comelec’s commitment to ensuring that voters are well-informed and prepared for the upcoming elections, while also addressing concerns about transparency and efficiency in the electoral process.