Comelec urges Davao orgs to take part in counting machines demo

The remaining batch of automated counting machines from South Korea. (Photo by Commission on Elections/Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday called on religious and civic organizations in Davao City and other areas to participate in the demonstration and roadshow of the automated counting machines (ACMs) as preparation for the 2025 polls.

According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, more people should benefit from their voter information drive initiative, which not only includes a demonstration of ACMs but also the proper ways to vote.

“Ineengganyo namin ‘yung iba’t ibant religious organizations sa Davao, ‘di lang sa city, kung hindi sa iba’t ibang probinsya ng Davao at mga civic organizations, gather your members and we are willing to demonstrate the machines,” Garcia said in a press briefing in an ACM roadshow in Davao City.

(We are encouraging different religious and civic organizations in Davao, not just in the city but in other provinces, to gather your members and we are willing to demonstrate the machines.)

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“Maganda po ‘yun, wala po tayong papanigan na sekta o against sa isang sekta. Lahat po ay may karapatang matuto dahil lahat po ay Filipino,” Garcia added.

(It will be good; we are not siding with or going against a certain sect. Everyone has the right to vote because everyone is Filipino.)

Garcia said interested organizations may coordinate with the local Comelec offices for the conduct of the ACM demonstration.

“Kami po ay magiging masaya upang makipagcoordinate sa inyo dahil tama lang na may venue para mas maraming tao, mas maraming present, mas maganda rin ‘yung ating voters’ education drive,” Garcia noted.

(We would be happy to coordinate with you because it’s important to have a venue that can accommodate more people and present a better voter education drive.)

Comelec kicked off its ACM roadshow and voter education last Saturday, which will end on January 30, 2025, when One ACM will be deployed in every municipality across the country.

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The poll body also said that the roadshow will reach far-flung areas, even indigenous peoples communities.

The Comelec recently received the last batch of the ACMs from South Korea’s Miru Systems, the tapped automated elections systems provider.