ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) – 9 is educating Zamboangueños on the new automated counting machine (ACM) that will be used in the upcoming National and Local Midterm Elections in May 2025 through ACM roadshows launched in Zamboanga City barangays and malls.
The ACM Roadshows, launched in public places like malls, were conducted last December 16-20, 2024, at KCC Mall de Zamboanga, which aimed to educate voters about the salient features of the counting machine and voting demonstrations.
(photo credits: BION – Pasonanca, BION – Sta. Barbara)
Barangay ACM roadshows were also initially conducted in the Pasonanca and Boalan areas in January and will continue to complete the conduct in 98 city barangays within the month.
COMELEC Zamboanga City Election Officer Atty. Jan Christian Babiera shared that approximately 120 voting centers in Zamboanga City are available to accommodate around 484,072 registered voters for the May 12 elections.
He reminded voters that each individual only gets one ballot, highlighting the importance of proper shading and avoiding overvoting to prevent ballot spoilage.
The new ACMs are designed for faster and more efficient counting.
Moreover, COMELEC will accommodate early voting hours for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant voters during election day from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., provided that they are registered voters of the same polling place. Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) shall also vote from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the PDL-Special Polling Place.
With this, COMELEC assured that all necessary measures are in place to ensure a well-organized and prepared election day.
Meanwhile, COMELEC-9 launched checkpoints in designated areas within Zamboanga City on January 12, kicking off the election season for the 2025 midterm elections.
With the gun ban in effect, bringing firearms without an exemption certificate from COMELEC constitutes an election offense, according to authorities. (EDT/JFT/PIA9-ZAMBOANGA CITY)
