COMELEC-Kalinga fully prepared for May 12 elections; 272 ACMs in place

Tabuk City, Kalinga - With the May 12 midterm elections just days away, the Commission on Elections in Kalinga has declared full readiness, assuring voters that all systems are in place and functioning. 

According to Atty. Ricardo Lampac, the Provincial Election Supervisor of COMELEC Kalinga, a total of 272 Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) are now installed in various voting districts or precincts in the province. 

Additionally, 15 contingency units were allocated for Tabuk City and the 7 Kalinga municipalities.  

The ACM is designed to minimize human error in vote counting. With the machine, the time to wait for election results will be greatly reduced, ensuring a smooth electoral process in the province. 

There is also a QR code on the voter receipt in case voters want to double-check their votes, such as if the input in the machine matches with what they penciled on the physical ballot. 

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Lampac said that final testing and sealing of the ACMs were completed by the agency on May 7. The process went smoothly, with only one machine experiencing a minor printer malfunction that was promptly fixed. 

There are also technicians on standby so that in case there’s an electrical problem, it will be fixed immediately. 

“ Nakapuwesto dan…Nagfinal testing kami di kalman (May 7), and so far, one hundred percent ready. Ada lang diay maysa nagloko printer na, haan nga diay panag read ah ti boto, ket naayus metten, so overall okay na. Ada met lang technicians tayo ta in case nga agkaproblema ket maayos nga dagus,” he said. 

As for the voters, especially the persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens, Lampac reminded them anew that special voting hours will take place from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. 

Although those who can’t make it during those early hours can still use the priority lane, the official said it is better to vote early to avoid long lines and overcrowding, especially now that the weather is extremely hot. 

Regular voting hours will run from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

According to the data from  the agency, there are 158,555 iKalingas who are registered to vote on May 12.