By Sonya Delgado
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) launched its new Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) today during the National Automated Counting Machines Roadshow and Demonstration held at the City Hall of Mati.
The event, conducted in front of hundreds of government employees during Mati LGU’s weekly flag-raising ceremony, marks a significant step in the modernization of the country’s electoral system.
This nationwide roadshow is part of COMELEC’s efforts to educate Filipino voters about the upcoming 2025 midterm elections and introduce the equipment that will be used. The initiative allows voters to familiarize themselves with the new ACMs, which feature significant advancements compared to the vote-counting machines (VCMs) utilized in previous elections.
The ACMs are manufactured by MIRU Systems Co., Ltd., a South Korean company specializing in election-related technology. These machines boast several enhanced features designed to improve the voting and counting process. Among their key features are:
• A 14-inch adjustable touchscreen with a privacy screen for better usability.
• Over 14 hours of battery life for uninterrupted operations.
• Faster scanning capabilities and compatibility with thinner paper.
• A built-in receipt compartment with automatic receipt cutting.
• Advanced security features, including QR codes and built-in camera scanners.
• The ability to transmit election results to up to seven servers simultaneously, ensuring real-time reporting to the City/Municipal Board of Canvassers, the COMELEC central server, political parties, election watchdogs, and media outlets.
MIRU Systems has already completed 110,000 ACM units, well ahead of the December 2024 deadline, ensuring readiness for the midterm elections.
The roadshow and demonstration of the ACMs will continue across various LGUs in the Philippines until January 30, 2025.
This initiative underscores COMELEC’s commitment to increasing voter awareness and ensuring a secure, efficient, and transparent electoral process in the country.