AS it begins its nationwide roadshow of the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday urged private establishments to open their doors for the voting machines to be used in the May 2025 polls.
In an interview at the sidelines of the ACM Roadshow Kick-Off, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they are hoping private entities would be willing to host ACM demonstration activities.
“We are encouraging private organizations, especially those with large venues available, to make the request (for ACM demonstration) with the local Comelec office,” said Garcia.
“All local Comelec offices are properly instructed to accept requests (for ACM demonstration),” he added.
He said they are open to such requests as it will help more voters get familiarized with the new voting machines.
“The wider the reach, the better for our voters’ education drive,” said Garcia.
Yesterday, the Comelec started with the ACM roadshow, which will run for two months, or until January 30, 2025.
The poll chief said the roadshow will cover all barangays nationwide as each municipality and city has been assigned one ACM to use.
All Comelec field officials underwent training on how to operate the ACMs during the recently held national convention for Election Officers (EOs) in Manila.
So far, Garcia said they have had one ACM unit assigned in Mindanao that had a screen malfunction when opened.
“We are still checking what happened. But probably, because of the length of travel, some parts got loose,” he said.
He said a contingency machine was immediately deployed in the area.
Garcia said they also received reports that the roadshow was canceled in Kalibo, Aklan.
“Kalibo, Aklan has just declared work and class suspension due to heavy rains and flood,” he said.
Garcia said they are also closely monitoring the progress of floods in some parts of Capiz and Antique.
