Comelec targets completed delivery of ballots, ACMs by April 30 – May 1

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting to complete the delivery of ballots and automated counting machines (ACMs) for the May 2025 midterm elections on April 30 and May 1, respectively. 

During the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on Wednesday, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said this is for the conduct of the final testing and sealing. 

“By April 30, dapat ang mga balota ay nasa opisina na ng mga treasurer, at ang mga makina, by May 1 dapat nasa mga teacher na po,” Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said at the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on Wednesday.

(By April 30, the ballots should be shipped to the offices of treasurers, and the teachers must receive the machines by May 1.)

Garcia said that the final testing and sealing will be held from May 2 until May 8. Garcia explained that during this procedure, the teachers serving as electoral board (EB) members will test the ACMs and official ballots among 10 registered voters in every polling precinct.

Garcia added that the 10 voters will be able to cast their votes as part of the testing.

“Ito ay upang alamin kung ang mga machines ay gumagana nang tama, kung tama ‘yong bilang, practically in front of everyone,” Garcia noted. 

(This is to determine if the machines are working properly, if the counting is correct, particularly in front of everyone.)

Garcia also said that after the final testing and sealing, the ACMs will be sealed and stored in the polling precincts.

The machines will be secured by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

The Comelec began shipping official ballots nationwide on Tuesday. Garcia said that the poll body closely monitors the deployment with the security forces.

READ: Comelec to start distribution of ballot for May polls on April 22

Garcia also emphasized the importance of the presence of watchers upon the arrival of the ballots in every municipality. 

“Kaya sabi namin sa mga local Comelec, coordinate with the treasurers to allow the watchers to be there,” Garcia said. 

(That’s what we told the local Comelec officials to coordinate with the treasurers to allow the watchers to be there.)

He noted that the custody of the ballots belongs to the city or municipal treasurers, while the ACMs, batteries, and ballot boxes are under the supervision of local Comelec officers.