THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to start the nationwide deployment of 110,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) on April 4.
In a press briefing in its warehouse here in Sta Rosa in Laguna, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the ACM deployment will start as soon as they pass the ongoing pre-election logic and accuracy test (Pre-LAT).
“As of today, we have completed the Pre-LAT of 47,000 of 110,000 voting machines,” said Garcia.
“We are targeting that all ACMs must be in their assigned polling places on or before May 5 since, by May 6, we will have the final testing and sealing,” he also said.
Of the 110,000 ACMs, 94,000 units will be used on Election Day, May 12, while the remaining 16,000 will serve as back up machines.
Garcia also said official ballots are eyed for deployment to their assigned city or municipal treasurer’s offices starting on April 20.
The Comelec has printed 68,542,564 official ballots to be used in the May 12 polls.
“As of today, we still have some 18 million official ballots that are subject for verification,” said Garcia.
As for the other election supplies like ballot boxes, ACM batteries, and certified voters list, these have been deployed to their respective Comelec regional hubs, he said.
“The regional hubs will be the ones to deploy to their respective provinces so that our deployment will be easier,” said Garcia.
He assured that the Comelec is right on track in terms of its preparations for the May 12 polls.
“Only a small part of our preparations remain. On a level of 1 to 10, we are probably in the 9 now,” said Garcia.
Garcia also said the Comelec is closely monitoring the political situation in Abra amid the recent election-related violence reported in the area, and he is not ruling out placing the perennial “election hotspot” under “Comelec Control” if violent incidents persist.
Last week, the driver of Tineg mayoral candidate Lenin Benwaren was gunned down in Bangued, Abra. Earlier, a grenade was thrown in front of the residence of Pidigan, Abra mayoral bet Artemio “Billy” Donato Jr.
