The Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in partnership with SM City Clark, is hosting a 3-day Automated Counting Machine (ACM) Roadshow from January 9 to 11, 2025, at the mall’s ground floor. This event features the latest ACMs developed by South Korean firm Miru Systems, aiming to educate the public in preparation for the National and Local Elections (NLE) on May 12, 2025.
The roadshow is open to all mall-goers, providing an opportunity for the general public to familiarize themselves with the new voting technology. On January 9, the event is facilitated by Mabalacat City Election Officer Maria Lourdes Alfaro, followed by Angeles City Election Officer Atty. Charmaine Casquejo on January 10 in partnership with SM City Clark represented by Operations Manager Dennis Aquino and PR Manager Venus Magsino-Manalang. The culmination on January 11 will feature both election officers, along with Atty. Lydia Florentino-Pangilinan, Provincial Election Supervisor IV for COMELEC Pampanga, who will provide insights into the province-wide implementation of the new ACMs.
Miru Systems has delivered over 110,000 state-of-the-art ACMs for the 2025 elections, designed to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of the electoral process. These machines are expected to streamline vote counting and bolster public confidence in the integrity of the election system.
Through hands-on demonstrations, participants can experience firsthand how the ACMs function, promoting a deeper understanding of the automated election system.
Additionally, voters are briefed on key election guidelines, including dos and don’ts to ensure their votes are valid. These include proper shading of the ovals to avoid invalid votes, not overvoting by selecting more candidates than allowed, and filling out the ballot clearly to prevent mistakes. Voters are also reminded not to write or mark anything on the ballot that could lead to disqualification.
This initiative underscores COMELEC’s commitment to voter education, ensuring that the public is well-informed and prepared for the upcoming elections.