Comelec-7 assures security measures in place to safeguard vote-counting machines

Local

THE Commission on Elections-Central Visayas (Comelec-7) has assured the public that strict security measures are in place following the arrival of two shipments of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) in Cebu, ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

Over 1,000 ACMs are now unloaded from F2 Logistics container vans at a warehouse in Mandaue City, as of Friday, April 25, 2025.

This includes the initial delivery earlier this week, along with two additional batches on Friday. These units are now securely stored at the facility, which is under 24/7 surveillance.

Each machine is carefully packed, sealed, and labeled with the names of the municipalities where they will be deployed. This ensures efficient tracking and organized distribution across the region.

Atty. John Raymund Ceniza, Election Assistant II in Danao City, confirmed that the delivery schedule is on track. All remaining ACMs are expected to arrive by the end of the month.

“This is the third batch we’ve received this year. All deliveries are on schedule, and we’ve had no problems so far,” Ceniza said on Friday.

He emphasized the importance of security in transporting and storing the election equipment.

Ceniza explained that each container van carrying the Automated Counting Machines is secured with three single-use seals.

He said these cannot be resealed once tampered with an added measure to ensure transparency and integrity in the handling of election equipment.

He noted that the storage facility is under round-the-clock police monitoring and security protocols, and so far, there have been no reported issues or breaches.

While acknowledging the logistical difficulties in delivering machines to island municipalities such as those in Cebu Province and Bohol, he assured that planning and coordination efforts are in place to address these.

He said the multiple stops and the need for sea transport have posed challenges, but deliveries remain on schedule.

The first batch of ACMs also comprised of 627 units. The second and third deliveries are yet to be accounted. These machines are a critical component of the automated elections system.

Ceniza said the issues with some ballot boxes were minor and are already being addressed, assuring these would not affect the delivery timeline.

Comelec, in partnership with F2 Logistics, is on track with the distribution of election materials, with more shipments expected soon.

Meanwhile, at the national level, Comelec announced as early as November 2024 that all 110,620 ACMs ordered from South Korean provider Miru Systems had been delivered head of schedule.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia expressed gratitude to Miru Systems for the early delivery of the machines, noting that it helped ease the commission's preparations for the elections.

Each unit underwent testing, with five percent randomly selected for stress tests to ensure reliability. Machines that failed were promptly pulled out and replaced.(MyTVCebu)