Hontiveros wants Comelec probe over AES certification delay

Senator Risa Hontiveros is urging an investigation into the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for its alleged failure to secure the legally required certification for the automated election system (AES) for the upcoming May 2025 elections.

Hontiveros highlighted the importance of the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on the Automated Election System acting quickly, with only about 70 days remaining until election day.

She noted that Comelec appears to be non-compliant with Republic Act 8436, as amended by RA 9369, which mandates certification from a recognized international entity verifying the proper, secure, and accurate operation of the AES at least three months prior to the election date.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, however, stated that the "three-month rule" is directory and not mandatory, citing previous elections that proceeded without strict adherence to this timeline.

Garcia explained that while hardware and software are finalized, certification for the new Overseas Voting and Counting System, which includes internet voting, is still being worked on.

Comelec is now proposing that the law requiring the AES certification at least three months before election day should be amended to account for the lengthy certification process.