Pagadian City Conducts Final Testing and Sealing of Automated Counting Machines for the Upcoming May 2025 National and Local Elections

In line with preparations for the upcoming national and local elections, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) led the Final Testing and Sealing (FTS) of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) in various polling centers across Pagadian City on Wednesday morning.

The FTS is a mandatory pre-election activity designed to ensure the reliability, accuracy, and security of the machines that will be used during the electoral process. The simulation included the end-to-end operations of the voting system from machine initialization, casting of mock votes, feeding of test ballots, to the printing and verification of election returns.

After the simulation, the ACMs were sealed and secured. These machines will remain locked and stored under strict supervision until the official opening of the polls on election day.

Election officials, poll watchers, and members of the public were present to witness the process, reinforcing transparency and public trust in the automated election system.

COMELEC assures the electorate that all necessary procedures are being followed to uphold the integrity of the elections, and encourages all registered voters to participate and observe proper conduct at the polling precincts.

(Source: PIA Western Mindanao)