The 20 automated counting machines (ACMs) that will be used for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) have passed required testing but still need some little adjustments based on initial observations, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia.
The 20 ACMs delivered by the joint venture led by South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd. have passed the screening test conducted by Comelec that went through the required Hardware Acceptance Test (HAT) in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
In an interview, Garcia said the diagnostic test results show that all of the ACM parts such as the sensor, touchscreen, scanner, printer, camera, USB ports, LED, external keypad, and more passed the appropriate criteria for each component during the HAT.
However, Garcia admitted that some revisions or adjustments should be made such as the camera needing to be placed under the machines instead on top of the ACMs, as well as the receptacle being placed on the right side instead of the left.
During the test, each ACM is turned on and then run through different diagnostics to ensure all of its components are working based on the specifications of Comelec.
Miru, which bagged the P18-billion automated elections for 2025, will deliver 110,000 ACMs starting August this year.
Garcia said Comelec could not afford any delays in their timeline so as to not jeopardize the midterm elections in May 2025.
