The Commission on Elections demonstrates the automated counting machines by Miru Systems to be used for the 2025 Midterm Elections at the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Center in Quezon City on June 19, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections National Chairperson Lito Averia said he sees potential vulnerabilities in the varying environmental conditions in polling centers for the upcoming May elections. 

Averia pointed out during the Kapihan Sa QC on Sunday that conditions may differ greatly in facilities where the automated counting machines (ACMs) were tested.

"Ang final stress test niya is on election day. Dahil doon sa testing facility siyempre naka-aircon, maganda. Pero pagdating sa ating mga polling places, lalo na doon sa mga ilang na lugar-- iba 'yung environmental conditions doon. Nandiyan na yung init, nandiyan ;yung humidity, at saka nandiyan din yung dusty environment. So hindi natin alam pa kung paano magre-react yung sistema o 'yung mga makina doon sa kanilang environment," Averia said, adding there is a need to watch this closely.

Averia also brought up a past scenario wherein due to the humidity, ballots ended up stuck together. 

"Yung mga balota, halimbawa, nangyari na rin noong araw na dahil sa taas ng humidity, nagkakadikit-dikit. Lalo na ngayon na mas manipis yung ballot paper na gagamitin. So kailangang bantayan natin 'yan," Averia said.

In a message to ABS-CBN News, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said the concern is valid, but he also pointed out they "have a lot of contingencies."

"We tested the machines in different environments including the scenario as mentioned. Even the DOST and the international certifier likewise did the stress test and do many more tests.  The machine passed all of these. As for the ballots, we are using a thinner one as compared to before (sic). Locally sourced paper. Not imported. Therefore adapted to our condition. Everything is possible but we have a lot of contingencies. The concern is valid," Garcia wrote.

READ: Comelec launches Random Manual Audit Committee

The NAMFREL official is not too concerned about possible manipulation of ACMs, noting that it is harder to hack because it is not connected to the internet during voting.

"May nagsasabi na maha-hack yung automated counting machine. 'Yung automated counting machine po ay hindi naka-connect sa internet habang tayo ay bumoboto. Pagkatapos ng botohan, bibilangin nga 'yung botohan," he said.

"Tapos magpi-print siya ng first nine copies ng election returns. Tapos 'yung ninth copy, required ang mga electoral boards na ipaskil yung ninth copy sa labas ng presinto para makita ng publiko 'yung resulta doon sa kanilang presento. Patapos noon, saka palang ko-connect sa internet at ita-transmit 'yung election results doon sa mga servers ng Comelec at iba-iba pang destinasyon. Kaya during the period ng botohan, hindi delikado 'yung makina na merong mag-infiltrate doon o mag-hack," Averia explained.

SHOW-CAUSE ORDERS AGAINST CANDIDATES

Averia is also not surprised by the string of show-cause orders issued by Comelec against candidates for alleged vote-buying.

"Sa tingin namin, pinu-push, tinutulak ng Comelec 'yung boundaries ng kaya nilang gawin lalo na, halimbawa, 'yung nabanggit mo, vote-buying. Doon sa kanilang Comelec resolution nag-create nung Committee on Kontra Bigay. Maraming presumptions 'yan para mai-push yung limits ng kaya ng Comelec. So hindi kami nagugulat na talagang masidhi at talagang aktibo ang Comelec sa pagbabantay lalo naman sa kaso ng vote-buying," Averia said. 

Various local and national candidates were asked to explain allegations of involvement in vote-buying and abuse of state resources. The Committee on Kontra Bigay recently signed a document accusing 19 local candidates of such actions.

READ: Comelec orders Quimbo, Lacuna, others to explain alleged vote-buying

READ: Comelec to order Isko Moreno, other local bets to explain alleged vote buying