Comelec-NIR staff Atty. Michael Cid (w/ mic) demonstrating to the local media how to use the new automated counting machines (ACMs) during a Kapihan sa PIA Forum on Jan. 28, 2025 in Dumaguete City. (PIA Negros Oriental)
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — In view of this year’s national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here is conducting an awareness roadshow on the new automated counting machines (ACMs) throughout the province.
The Dumaguete Press Club members were given a chance to familiarize themselves with the Comelec’s ACM through a special demonstration right after the Kapihan sa PIA Forum in Dumaguete City.
The local media practitioners took part in using the machine through mock voting.
Comelec Negros Island Region (NIR) Regional Election director Lionel Marco Castillano said this is set to inform as many electorates as possible on the proper use of the machines and the voting process.
The counting machines are designed for faster and more efficient counting.
“Ang tumong ug tuyo usab natu niini pagwagtang sa mga pagduda sa uban na ang eleksyon possibleng gidaya o gilimbong,” Castillano said.
(Our purpose also here is to erase the doubts of some people that the election is being set up.)
Radio reporter Sheila Docto of DYWC Radyo Bandilyo shared her experience in using the ACMs, saying that the machine is a lot easier to use compared to the previous voting machines as it would take only five minutes to vote.
“Mas nindot pud sya na machine kay ma review nimo ang imong gipang botaran, mas dali ni ug dili hassle para sa mga botante,” said Docto.
(This machine is more favorable because it can review the names you voted for. It’s fast and no more hassle for the voters.)
“The ACM roadshow of Comelec is a good initiative so that the people would know how to use it and not be ignorant of the machine,” she added.
Comelec-NIR staff Atty. Michael Cid gave the reporters a step-by-step walkthrough of the machine’s features, from ballot feeding to vote tallying and results transmission.
Cid also stressed that the ACMs are already equipped with persons with disability (PWD) friendly assistance tools to be more accessible to PWDs.
Comelec has conducted 17 ACM roadshows and demonstrations to schools, government agencies, detention centers, and other institutions.
The Comelec officials reminded voters that each individual only gets one ballot, stressing the importance of proper shading and avoid over-voting to prevent ballot spoilage.
On elections day, early voting hours for senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant voters will be 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 their detention facility centers with the assistance of the special board of election inspectors (BEIs). (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
