The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) is set to launch a roadshow caravan next week to familiarize voters with the new automated counting machines (ACMs) for the upcoming 2025 mid-term elections. The initiative, starting December 2, 2024, aims to educate the public on the updated features of the ACMs, which will be used in the May 2025 polls.
Lionel Marco Castillano, the regional election director for Comelec-NIR, confirmed that all election officers and staff involved in the roadshow have been trained on the operation and features of the new ACMs. He noted that a national convention was held last week to train election officers on these machines, which are identical to those that will be used in the next year’s elections.
The ACMs featured in the roadshow will not have the capability to transmit results electronically, as the primary focus is on voter education regarding the new features, which differ from those used in the 2022 elections. Castillano mentioned that the machines are expected to arrive this week, just in time for the nationwide launch of the roadshow.
The roadshow will continue until January 30, 2025, and is designed to reach as many people as possible in various community settings such as barangays, schools, and other public gathering places across all towns and cities. The initiative will also include educational sessions for candidates, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, media, and other groups.
Each municipality and city will be equipped with one ACM, with an additional machine stationed at the NIR regional office in Dumaguete City. Castillano emphasized the importance of also providing ACM units to provincial Comelec offices to ensure coverage in remote areas. Upon arrival, the machines will be directly delivered to the election officers in each town and city by the official forwarder.