KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) here considered the members of the Aklan media as partners in safeguarding transparency of the democratic processes, particularly this upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections.
In his opening statement during the Voters’ Education and Automated Counting Machine (ACM) Roadshow for Aklan media, Election Officer III and information officer of Comelec-Aklan Chrispin Raymund Gerardo emphasized the significant role and participation of the media in this coming midterm polls
“Comelec-Aklan always considers the value of the media in disseminating and propagating important news and more so the impact of the media can make in the construction of public belief, in sharpening the attitude, and the media’s relationship towards social changes,” Gerardo said.
He further noted that the media, often called society’s watchdog, aside from their duty to inform the public, also plays an important role in preserving the transparency of the democratic process in the country.
“We are here today not only to inform the public of the activity but to prepare the public in terms of security, and credibility but more so to prepare the public. Dapat maipakita naton, maikundisyon naton ro atong pumueoyo,” he added.
Aiming to provide accurate and truthful information about this year’s political exercise which the media will disseminate to the public, the Commission presented during the event the schedule of the important activities of Comelec and the “must-remember dates” regarding the NLE.
On May 12, 2025, generally, the time of voting will be from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, however, senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWDs will have the privilege to vote from 5:00 am – 7:00 am.
Comelec-Aklan likewise explained thoroughly to the media Comelec Resolution No. 11086 or the “Fair Election Act” to inform and remind the public of the guidelines for the conduct of fair, orderly, honest, and credible elections.
Further, the commission introduced the newly automated counting machine and educated the media on how to use the unit, allowing them to experience the actual voting using the ACM and the sample ballot.
The Comelec assured that ACM was built for fair and transparent elections in 2025 with cutting-edge features such as a 14-inch touchscreen, sensor, scanner, printer, camera, universal serial bus ports, external keypad, and a voter’s receipt receptacle.
The poll body highlighted that a more secure electronic transmission service is one of ACM’s features with a longer battery life of 14 hours.
Additionally, the machine will print election returns with a privacy screen and a QR code, making it impossible for onlookers to determine the voters’ choice.
Gerardo reiterated that the credibility of the upcoming election requires collaboration among various government and private sectors, stakeholders, including media. (AGP/SQP/PIA Aklan)
