#BotoNgKabataan2025: How do new automated counting machines work?

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) started its touring campaign for voter education and the demonstration of automated voting machines (ACMs), which will be used in the #BotoNgKabataan2025 midterm elections.

Launched on December 2, the nationwide ACM roadshow was brought to the ECJ Building in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday by Comelec Region IV-B (MIMAROPA).

This is to provide Filipino voters with firsthand experience with the new ACM and make them understand how the machine works for an easier voting process in the May 2025 polls.

The ACM replaces Smartmatic’s vote-counting machines (VCMs), which were used in the previous Philippine elections. But how different is the ACM from the old VCM?

Salient features

The new ACM is equipped with two kinds of technology for casting votes: an Optical Mark Reader (OMR) that uses the traditional vote ballots and a Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) that uses a touchscreen which will be used by overseas Filipino voters in selected countries.

It is a standalone machine with more than 14 hours of battery life and won’t require any electrical outlet or cable to operate. The ACM, however, still has a switching power adapter for a direct power source.

It has an adjustable touch screen and privacy screen that can be tilted up and down for the voter’s convenience. Each voter is given 15 seconds to review their votes on the screen that will flash the actual image of their ballot, according to Comelec.

“Kung matatandaan natin ‘yung dati nating ginagamit na makina, kung makikita niyo ngayon, mas malaki na ‘yung screen niya. Fourteen inches ‘yung screen niya. ‘Yung resibo, ‘pag labas niya, pwede nating i-compare ‘yung boto sa screen,” Atty. Gloria Ramos-Petallo, Comelec MIMAROPA Regional Election Director, told republicasia.

“Aside from that, we also have ‘yung built-in na receptacle kung saan natin ihuhulog ‘yung resibo after nating bumoto, unlike before na kailangan pang gupitin,” she added.

Meanwhile, vote ballots have precinct-specified security features or marks. Feeding and scanning vote ballots in the ACM are also made easier with its auto-align feature to avoid paper jams.

Compared to the VCM, the ACM is shorter and has headphones to provide easy access and comfort to wheelchair-bound voters and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Contingency plan

During the ACM demonstration, the poll body encountered a problem with the ACM when it suddenly lost its power.

“During our first demo in Calapan City, wala naman kaming naging problem, pero kanina, inabot si ma’am na biglang nawala ‘yung power,” the Comelec official said.

She continued, “Pero mabilis din naman siyang naayos kasi chineck lang naman din—‘yung adapter lang medyo lumuwag.” 

If such a scenario happens on election day, the Comelec has backup ACMs in each province to address the issue immediately. Petallo, however, assured that the votes would not be affected by the machine problem.

“Kung halimbawa na bigla ngang na turn-off ‘yung machine, kapag naayos at in-open ulit, meron siyang report na ilalabas ‘yung machine [at] sasabihin niya what happened,” the poll body official said.

“Makikita rin natin doon kung ‘yung mga nakaboto kanina, ilan sila. Ilalabas din sa report ilan yung mga nakaboto na,” she added.

Petallo said they will deploy a Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO) in each voting center and train technicians who will assist members of the Electoral Board (EB) during the midterm elections.

“Bawat municipality, meron siya [na technician]. At the call of the DESO, ma-a-address naman natin ‘yan,” she said.

“As much as possible nga, among the EBs or ‘yung support staff, at least ite-train din sila before ng election. So, series of trainings ang gagawin para at least ‘yung mga tao mismo na magma-man doon sa presinto, they have the idea kung anong gagawin,” she went on.

The poll body is set to conduct training in January for election officers, who will then train the EBs. This will be followed by subsequent training for DESOs, technicians, and canvassers.

Avoid markings on ballot’s timing marks

One of the security features of the ballot is timing marks, which should not have any marking or it will be rejected by the ACM.

“‘Yun ang ingatan natin, ‘yung timing marks na huwag siyang madumihan,” advised Petallo.

Voters should inspect the ballots for any marking upon receiving them from the EB.

“I-examine nila ‘yung balotang tatanggapin nila kung siya ay malinis ba. Ngayon kung hindi, sabihin niya na kay teacher, doon sa chairman, para doon pa lang issue-han siya ng bago na malinis,” Petallo said.

The republicasia team also tried feeding the ACM with a crumpled vote ballot, but the machine still accepted it.

“‘Yung timing marks talaga ‘yung ingatan natin na hindi siya magkaroon ng smudges or any marks na magiging reason para ibalik lang ni ACM,” stressed Petallo.

Several Filipinos will vote for a new set of leaders, including 12 senators and one party-list group. 

Comelec chair George Garcia revealed that a total of 66 senatorial aspirants will compete for the 12 seats available in the May 2025 polls. A total of 156 party-list groups, on the other hand, will be included in the official ballot.

The printing of the official ballots will start on January 6.

ACM demo continues

Petallo said the poll body’s ACM demonstration campaign will run until January 30, 2025.

The Comelec MIMAROPA’s goal is to reach “vulnerable sectors” as they conduct ACM roadshows in Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

“Magkakaroon kami ng demonstration sa Iwahig sa Palawan. Meron din kaming target audience na mga IPs [Indigenous Peoples], senior citizens, PWDs,” Petallo said.

“So, ang gusto talaga na mangyari at ito’y panawagan din ng aming Chairman Garcia, na bago dumating ang eleksyon, ma-experience na ng mga tao kung paano gamitin ‘yung bagong makina. At ang talagang purpose ay makaboto ang lahat ng Pilipino at mabilang ang kanilang boto,” she continued.

The Comelec official then urged young eligible voters to participate in the upcoming elections because their votes matter in shaping the country’s future.

“Sabi nga ni Dr. Jose Rizal, ‘Ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan,’ and the vote of the youth really makes a difference,” she highlighted.

“We encourage you to exercise your right to vote at para meron kayong say kung ano ang kahihinatnan ng Pilipinas,” she added.