TEC certifies AES for May 12 polls

The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) has certified that the automated election system (AES) for the May 12 national and local elections can operate "properly, securely, and accurately."

The certification, issued to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on April 30, confirms the AES developed by new technology provider Miru Systems can be fully implemented.

The AES includes the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit/Count, Secure Electronic Transmission Services, and the Online Voting and Counting System, with the latter being used for overseas Filipinos.

This certification is overdue, as Republic Act No. 9369 requires it to be issued no later than three months before election day, with the deadline for the 2025 polls being February 12.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia expressed hope that the certification will address the concerns of AES critics and reiterated his appeal for stakeholders to remain vigilant to ensure voters are not disenfranchised.