Comelec replaces nearly 300 defective ACMs on election day | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Comelec replaces nearly 300 defective ACMs on election day
Comelec replaces nearly 300 defective ACMs on election day
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
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 NewsMANILA -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) replaced 298 defective automated counting machines (ACM) in some polling precincts on Monday.
MANILA -- The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) replaced 298 defective automated counting machines (ACM) in some polling precincts on Monday.
According to COMELEC spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, most of the issues with the affected ACMs were problems with either the printer or scanner.
According to COMELEC spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, most of the issues with the affected ACMs were problems with either the printer or scanner.
Laudiangco said that as a rule, all ACMs that need more than an hour to be fixed will be immediately replaced in order to prevent any delay with the voting process in the affected precinct.
Laudiangco said that as a rule, all ACMs that need more than an hour to be fixed will be immediately replaced in order to prevent any delay with the voting process in the affected precinct.
Aside from the ACMs, the Comelec also replaced over 30 USB devices.
Aside from the ACMs, the Comelec also replaced over 30 USB devices.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Hindi naman nagkaroon ng catastrophic failure [ang ACM], ang iniiwasan lang po kasi namin ay yung magtatagal pa. Pagtatagal sa mahigit 60 minutes ang repair time, ang default ay palitan na. Yan yung default order," Laudiangco clarifies.
"Hindi naman nagkaroon ng catastrophic failure [ang ACM], ang iniiwasan lang po kasi namin ay yung magtatagal pa. Pagtatagal sa mahigit 60 minutes ang repair time, ang default ay palitan na. Yan yung default order," Laudiangco clarifies.
Laudiangco noted, however, that this number is significantly lower compared to the 2022 elections, wherein more than 1,000 machines had already been replaced by the same time.
Laudiangco noted, however, that this number is significantly lower compared to the 2022 elections, wherein more than 1,000 machines had already been replaced by the same time.
The Comelec also received close to 3,000 calls at its National Technical Support Center (NTSC) in Parañaque City as of Monday afternoon.
The Comelec also received close to 3,000 calls at its National Technical Support Center (NTSC) in Parañaque City as of Monday afternoon.
The majority of the reported concerns involved issues with paper printing, incorrect paper placement, printer malfunctions, and other technical glitches.
The majority of the reported concerns involved issues with paper printing, incorrect paper placement, printer malfunctions, and other technical glitches.
Of the nearly 3,000 calls received, 90% have already been resolved.
Of the nearly 3,000 calls received, 90% have already been resolved.
ADVERTISEMENT
"[There were] 3,000 calls sa level 1, ang resolution ay 90%. Kanina ay may 100 calls na ine-entertain ang ating NTSC, ngayon, bumaba na to 40 calls at any given time. Ano ang mga problemang inaakyat, common problem, papel ayaw mag imprenta, baligtad yung pagkakabit ng papel, printer na hindi nagalign," Laudiangco said.
"[There were] 3,000 calls sa level 1, ang resolution ay 90%. Kanina ay may 100 calls na ine-entertain ang ating NTSC, ngayon, bumaba na to 40 calls at any given time. Ano ang mga problemang inaakyat, common problem, papel ayaw mag imprenta, baligtad yung pagkakabit ng papel, printer na hindi nagalign," Laudiangco said.
Meanwhile, in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, voting officially began around noon following several hours of delay.
Meanwhile, in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, voting officially began around noon following several hours of delay.
The delay was caused by residents who blocked the municipal hall, protesting the assignment of certain Electoral Board members to their polling precincts.
The delay was caused by residents who blocked the municipal hall, protesting the assignment of certain Electoral Board members to their polling precincts.
The incident affected over 80,000 registered voters across 100 precincts.
The incident affected over 80,000 registered voters across 100 precincts.
The town had previously been placed under COMELEC control in April, following the killing of its local election officer and his spouse.
The town had previously been placed under COMELEC control in April, following the killing of its local election officer and his spouse.
ADVERTISEMENT
To address the situation, members of the Philippine Marine Corps assisted COMELEC in securing and distributing election materials, including ballots, ACMs, and the Electoral Board themselves.
To address the situation, members of the Philippine Marine Corps assisted COMELEC in securing and distributing election materials, including ballots, ACMs, and the Electoral Board themselves.
COMELEC emphasized that obstructing the distribution of election materials and hindering the Electoral Board’s operations constitutes an election offense.
COMELEC emphasized that obstructing the distribution of election materials and hindering the Electoral Board’s operations constitutes an election offense.
Laudiangco added that COMELEC will assess the situation before 7:00 PM to determine whether voting hours in Datu Odin Sinsuat need to be extended, especially since voting there started at noon. If there are still voters in line or within a 30-meter radius of the precinct by 7:00 PM, polling may be extended.
Laudiangco added that COMELEC will assess the situation before 7:00 PM to determine whether voting hours in Datu Odin Sinsuat need to be extended, especially since voting there started at noon. If there are still voters in line or within a 30-meter radius of the precinct by 7:00 PM, polling may be extended.
"[Mag-assess] po ng ating election officer, titingnan namin ang voter turnout bago mag-alas siyete ng gabi. Kapag alas siyete na at wala naman nang nakapila sa 30 meter radius eh baka hindi na kinakailangang palawigin pa ang voting hours," said Laudiangco.
"[Mag-assess] po ng ating election officer, titingnan namin ang voter turnout bago mag-alas siyete ng gabi. Kapag alas siyete na at wala naman nang nakapila sa 30 meter radius eh baka hindi na kinakailangang palawigin pa ang voting hours," said Laudiangco.
COMELEC also reminded mall voters to confirm whether their precinct is included in the mall voting program. In some barangays, only selected precincts are assigned to malls due to space limitations, and not all voters in a barangay can be accommodated.
COMELEC also reminded mall voters to confirm whether their precinct is included in the mall voting program. In some barangays, only selected precincts are assigned to malls due to space limitations, and not all voters in a barangay can be accommodated.
ADVERTISEMENT
The commission also clarified reports circulating on social media about poll watchers allegedly assisting vulnerable sector voters with shading their ballots.
The commission also clarified reports circulating on social media about poll watchers allegedly assisting vulnerable sector voters with shading their ballots.
COMELEC reiterated:
COMELEC reiterated:
1. Poll watchers are allowed to assist, but only with the explicit consent of the voter. This must be documented in the precinct’s minutes as proof that the voter chose the poll watcher as their assistant.
1. Poll watchers are allowed to assist, but only with the explicit consent of the voter. This must be documented in the precinct’s minutes as proof that the voter chose the poll watcher as their assistant.
2. A poll watcher may only assist up to three voters during the voting process.
2. A poll watcher may only assist up to three voters during the voting process.
COMELEC continues to closely monitor the situation on the ground to ensure a smooth and credible election process.
COMELEC continues to closely monitor the situation on the ground to ensure a smooth and credible election process.
Filipinos worldwide can also stay updated on election-related news and results via the “Halalan” page on ABS-CBN.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
