Poll machines undergo final testing for midterm elections

Metro Manila, Philippines - Thousands of automated counting machines (ACMs) are now undergoing final testing and sealing (FTS) to ensure they function properly on May 12 or election day.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) launched the FTS at Pateros Elementary School on Friday, May 2. Comelec Chairman George Garcia said local Comelec offices have set their own testing schedules, with a deadline set for May 7.

During the process, members of the electoral board check if the ACMs are operating properly and if the votes are accurately stored on USB drives.

“Sapagkat kung hindi kuntento, again we can easily replace the machines. Kasi nga meron tayong 16,000 na contingency machines na naka-standby kung saka-sakaling kakailanganin. At the same time, magandang pagkakataon din ito dahil kung may problema, pwede pang ma-repair,” Garcia told reporters.

[Translation: Because if we're not satisfied, again, we can easily replace the machines. We have 16,000 contingency machines on standby in case they’re needed. At the same time, this is also a good opportunity because if there are any issues, they can still be repaired.]

The poll chairman also assured the public that each machine will be reset to zero after testing, and an initialization report will be printed as proof. Before voting begins on May 12, electoral board members will again verify that no test votes remain in the machines.

“So dalawang beses ngayon at saka sa mismo araw para malaman na zero talaga ang laman ng makina (So the machines will be checked twice—during testing and again on election day—to ensure the count starts at zero),” Garcia said.

Comelec is deploying around 110,000 ACMs for the midterm elections, including backup units.