COTABATO CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has completed the final testing and sealing of vote-counting machines (VCMs) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s first regular parliamentary elections on September 14.
The successful testing has strengthened confidence that the election results will be accurate and reliable.Comelec Chairman George Garcia said all VCMs assigned to BARMM underwent final testing and sealing on September 12.
The process aimed to identify and fix possible technical problems before Election Day.“Susubukan po natin ‘yung lahat ng makina kung gumagana, bumibilang ba ng tama,” Garcia said in an interview.He explained that the testing also checks whether the machines contain unauthorized programs or instructions that could affect voting and counting.
“Mas mahirap po kasi kung ang makina ay doon mo pa lang susubukan sa mismong araw ng eleksyon,” Garcia added.The final testing and sealing is an important part of election preparations. It allows officials to confirm that the machines are functioning properly before they are delivered to polling centers across the region.
Representatives of political parties, candidates, poll watchers, citizens’ arms, and civil society groups were expected to witness the process as part of Comelec’s transparency measures.The poll body has also completed other preparations, including the deployment of election personnel, distribution of election materials, and coordination with security forces assigned to protect polling centers.
The elections will mark a major step in BARMM’s political transition, as voters will choose representatives who will form the region’s first regular parliament.The polls will also mark the transition from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to a fully elected parliamentary government.
Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo earlier said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. considers the elections the result of decades of peace-building efforts in the Bangsamoro.
As Election Day approaches, voters, candidates, political parties, and their supporters are being urged to maintain peace, respect the democratic process, and help ensure an orderly election.With the VCMs tested and sealed, attention now shifts to the smooth conduct of voting, counting, and transmission of results across BARMM.
