Comelec: ACM field tests a success
COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia declared on Saturday that the field testing of the automated counting machines (ACMs) and related systems in select areas of the Philippines and abroad has been a success. Garcia said these field tests were crucial in ensuring the smooth functioning of the electoral process in preparation for the May 2025 midterm elections. The tests, he said, assessed the ACMs' ability to count votes accurately, transmit results, and integrate with the transmission systems for fast and precise reporting from polling centers to the Comelec's central servers. He said the testing was a critical step ahead of the mock elections planned for December, which will include a test of the online voting system. "What we want to show here is that the ACMs are all working from the casting of the vote to the counting, to the transmission of the results," Garcia said in an interview. The Comelec is also preparing for significant changes in how overseas voting will be conducted. For the first time, Filipino voters abroad will be able to vote online starting April 13, 2025, until Election Day, May 12, 2025. The initial budget for the online voting system is P428 million, but Comelec estimates that only P112 million will be spent. Despite the convenience this offers, security remains a top concern, said Comelec's Information Technology Department Director Eden Bolo. He said the commission was implementing robust security measures to prevent hacking attempts, noting that while no system was entirely foolproof, vigilance and best practices would ensure a secure voting process. Garcia also highlighted challenges ahead, such as the distribution of election paraphernalia, particularly the transport of lithium batteries used in the voting machines, which cannot be flown but must be shipped by boat. To familiarize voters with the new machines, Comelec has scheduled public demonstrations nationwide from December 2024 through January 2025. In other election developments, Comelec has declared 23 more individuals who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Senate as nuisance candidates, bringing the total number to 70. These candidates, who failed to meet qualifications or were unlikely to win, were disqualified by Comelec's First and Second Divisions. Among those recently ruled out are Primo Puso Aquino, Berteni Causing, and Alice Jumalon. The total number of COCs filed during the Oct. 1-8 period was 183, with only 66 aspirants remaining on the partial list of legitimate Senate candidates for 2025. Additionally, the Comelec is overseeing preparations for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, set for May 12, 2025. A total of 111 COCs have been filed for parliamentary district representatives, with seven manifestations of intent to participate (MIPs) submitted by regional political parties. However, Garcia warned that if legislation is passed to postpone the BARMM elections to May 2026, these filings may be invalidated, and a new round of candidacy filing would be required.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia declared on Saturday that the field testing of the automated counting machines (ACMs) and related systems in select areas of the Philippines and abroad has been a success.
Garcia said these field tests were crucial in ensuring the smooth functioning of the electoral process in preparation for the May 2025 midterm elections.
The tests, he said, assessed the ACMs' ability to count votes accurately, transmit results, and integrate with the transmission systems for fast and precise reporting from polling centers to the Comelec's central servers.
He said the testing was a critical step ahead of the mock elections planned for December, which will include a test of the online voting system.
"What we want to show here is that the ACMs are all working from the casting of the vote to the counting, to the transmission of the results," Garcia said in an interview.
The Comelec is also preparing for significant changes in how overseas voting will be conducted.
For the first time, Filipino voters abroad will be able to vote online starting April 13, 2025, until Election Day, May 12, 2025.
The initial budget for the online voting system is P428 million, but Comelec estimates that only P112 million will be spent.
Despite the convenience this offers, security remains a top concern, said Comelec's Information Technology Department Director Eden Bolo.
He said the commission was implementing robust security measures to prevent hacking attempts, noting that while no system was entirely foolproof, vigilance and best practices would ensure a secure voting process.
Garcia also highlighted challenges ahead, such as the distribution of election paraphernalia, particularly the transport of lithium batteries used in the voting machines, which cannot be flown but must be shipped by boat. To familiarize voters with the new machines, Comelec has scheduled public demonstrations nationwide from December 2024 through January 2025.
In other election developments, Comelec has declared 23 more individuals who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Senate as nuisance candidates, bringing the total number to 70.
These candidates, who failed to meet qualifications or were unlikely to win, were disqualified by Comelec's First and Second Divisions.
Among those recently ruled out are Primo Puso Aquino, Berteni Causing, and Alice Jumalon. The total number of COCs filed during the Oct. 1-8 period was 183, with only 66 aspirants remaining on the partial list of legitimate Senate candidates for 2025.
Additionally, the Comelec is overseeing preparations for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, set for May 12, 2025.
A total of 111 COCs have been filed for parliamentary district representatives, with seven manifestations of intent to participate (MIPs) submitted by regional political parties.
However, Garcia warned that if legislation is passed to postpone the BARMM elections to May 2026, these filings may be invalidated, and a new round of candidacy filing would be required.
