All systems go

The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) announced it is “all systems go” for the upcoming May 12, 2025 elections following the final testing and sealing (FTS) of all automated counting machines (ACMs) in the region on Tuesday, May 7.

- Jonnavie Villa, Staff Member

Comelec-7 Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe confirmed that all ACMs designated across the region's clustered precincts were checked for functionality and underwent accuracy tests during the FTS operations.

The final testing included mock voting, where electoral board members manually filled out 10 test ballots and fed them into the machines to ensure accurate vote recording.

In a separate press conference, Comelec-7 Election Assistant II Atty. Jhon Raymund Ceniza shared that during the FTS, minor glitches were encountered in some areas, primarily due to internet connectivity delays from Starlink, the primary satellite service provider in remote locations.

Ceniza noted that some schools were hesitant to pre-install Starlink due to security concerns. As a solution, installations will take place on election day itself to ensure controlled deployment.

"REMOVE AND REPLACE"

To ensure uninterrupted service on election day, Comelec-7 has established a "remove and replace" protocol for malfunctioning ACMs rather than attempting on-site repairs.