Comelec demos new ACMs for May 2025 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Pangasinan received 48 automated counting machines (ACMs) to be used in a roadshow starting December 2.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia led the demonstration of ACMs at Manila High School in Intramuros and at Comelec's head office, with around 2,000 ACMS deployed nationwide for the roadshow.

The nationwide voter education roadshow aims to educate voters about the new machines which will be used in the May 12, 2025 elections and includes a voter education drive scheduled within 60 days.

Each ACM is equipped with its own battery that can last up to 14 hours and reads ballots in as fast as three seconds, processing results within 15-20 minutes.

The machines also print out nine copies of election results for government entities, media, and non-government organizations serving as poll watchers, allowing voters to verify their votes through a touchscreen display.

Comelec assures the public that the voting process is secure from hacking without requiring an internet connection, with Garcia reminding voters not to cast more than 12 senators or multiple party-list groups to avoid invalidation of votes.

Pangasinan has over 2.17 million registered voters for the upcoming elections, encouraging citizens to monitor roadshow schedules in their localities and visit Comelec's official Facebook page for a full list of venues.