Voting machine customization starts April 18 – Comelec

April 5, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The customization of vote counting machines for the May 2025 midterm elections will start on April 18, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

The poll body is sending a team to South Korea to observe the start of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit and Count project, according to Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

“Part of the contract is the observer mission to determine the capability of Miru to manufacture the vote counting machines and its readiness to fulfill its obligation,” Garcia said.

The joint venture led by South Korean firm Miru Systems will customize the 110,000 automated counting machines, he noted.

The delegation will observe the customization and test specifications as provided under the terms of reference, he said.

The Comelec previously issued a resolution allowing the hardware customization of automated counting machines (ACM).

Among the customizations adopted are changes in the position of the camera at the top portion of the ballot entrance, screen enlargement from 13.3 to 14 inches, and privacy screens with an additional three centimeters on both sides of the ACM screen.

The cable tie metal holder or hasp for the placement of serially numbered plastic tie security seal will also be extended.

The relocation of the ACM’s real-time clock battery to the secure digital slot location and the removal of the SD slot were also approved.

The ACMs will have a unique serial number readable by a barcode reader, the poll body said.