900 automated counting machines already in Cebu City

Local

WITH just a week to go before the May 12 national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cebu City has received a total of 900 Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) to be deployed across the city’s 73 voting centers, which are expected to serve more than 666,000 registered voters.

Of the 900 ACMs delivered, 359 units are allocated to the North District, including 50 contingency machines, while 431 are assigned to the South District, with an additional 60 on standby as backups.

The machines are currently secured at the Social Hall of Cebu City Hall in preparation for final deployment.

Comelec officials assured that preparations are on track, particularly for the final testing and sealing (FTS) of the vote-counting machines, which is scheduled to take place simultaneously across the city on Wednesday, May 7.

"Ready nata in so far as security deployment concerns. And nahisgotan na ang deployment sa ACMs, paraphernalia, and ballots," said Lawyer Ferdinand Gujilde, Comelec election officer and supervisor for the Cebu City South District.

“Naa tay 36 kabuok voting centers, unya atong number of registered voters is 340,000. Kana silang tanan will be properly secured. Wednesday is testing day, simultaneously as much as possible,” he added.

Gujilde said the Comelec has also coordinated with law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of election paraphernalia and polling areas on election day.

For the North District, Atty. Ambongan Abilar, election officer and district supervisor, said preparations are also on schedule.

He noted that the delivery included machines allocated for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) to ensure that all eligible voters, including those in detention, can participate.

"Ang nadeliver kay 900, including for PDLs," Abilar said. “Ugma, 10 p.m. sugdan na ug baba diri sa ground floor kay in preparation na sa deployment, final testing, and sealing karong May 7. Exactly by 9 a.m. on May 7, simultaneous tanang polling centers mag-start mag final testing and sealing.”

The North District has 326,000 registered voters distributed across 359 clustered precincts and 37 voting centers.

Security measures are being enforced around the clock.

Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, Deputy City Director for Operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said police presence at City Hall and other key sites is continuous until the machines and other election paraphernalia are fully deployed.

“Since the ACMs are temporarily deployed in Cebu City Hall, dili munaog sa 100 ang gideploy diri,” Macatangay said.

“Ganihang buntag naka-activate na ang mga command posts. Naa pud tay mga K9. Everything is in place until ma-completely distributed ni ang mga gamit. Walay pullout mga personnel diri. 24 hours. Until ni sila May 7,” she added.

Macatangay assured us that no personnel would be reassigned elsewhere while the ACMs remained at City Hall. The police have also activated contingency measures, including K9 units, for enhanced security at command posts and storage areas.

Both the Comelec and the CCPO emphasized that coordination is in full swing to ensure a smooth, transparent, and secure electoral process in Cebu City, from final machine testing to ballot deployment and election day operations.

Voters are urged to verify their precinct assignments ahead of time and strictly follow voting guidelines on May 12, which will determine the city’s next set of local and national leaders.(TGP)