The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has launched a region-wide Automated Counting Machine (ACM) Demonstration Roadshow in MIMAROPA, which will run from December 2 to January 31 next year.
Calapan City Elections Officer Suminigay Mirindato said that all election officers across the country underwent a one-week training session before the ACM demonstration’s kick-off ceremony.
“Handang-handa na po tayo. Before the kick-off ceremony this December 2, which will run until January 31, 2025 ay nagkaroon po ng one week training ang lahat ng elections officers sa buong bansa para po sa ACM demonstration roadshow natin na gaganapin sa period na ito,” Mirindato said.
He assured that every city and municipality in the region will host an ACM demonstration to allow the public to learn how to use the new machines.
“Every election officer for every municipal or city ay magkakaroon po ng isang ACM roadshow demo or ACM demo or ACM roadshow,” he said, adding that they were instructed that all municipalities, all election officers, and all cities, along with the field offices are required to conduct ACM demos starting December 2, 2024.
Mirindato also shared details about the new features of the ACM, ensuring that it will make voting easier for Filipinos.
“The ACM has new features…ang new features na ito malalaman ninyo po sa ACM demo namin and maga-garantiya po namin na this is really voter-friendly, this is really Filipino-friendly, this is really vulnerable sectors-friendly na ACM. So, pagdating sa pag-operate, pagdating sa functions ng ACM na to ay wala pong magiging doubt o wala pong magiging alinlangan ang lahat ng boboto, okay na okay po ang ACM natin,” he assured.
He also encouraged everyone to participate in the ACM demonstrations in their barangays so that each sector of society could understand how to use the new machines for the upcoming elections next year.
“Lahat po ng election officers, lahat po ng munisipyo at field offices ng COMELEC ay pupunta sa inyong barangay. Grab that opportunity ‘wag po kayong matakot, ‘wag po kayong mahiya kami na po mismo ang pupunta sa inyong mga pintuan [at] sa inyong mga barangay para po ilapit ang aming sarili, ilapit po ang ACM sa inyo,” he said. (ALG/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
