Comelec begins hardware acceptance tests for counting machines

The hardware acceptance tests for Automated counting machines began on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at the warehouse of the Commission on Elections in Biñan, Laguna. (Photo from DIANNE SAMPANG / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has begun the hardware acceptance test for the automated counting machines (ACMs) at the Comelec’s warehouse in Biñan, Laguna.

According to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, the testing that started on Wednesday has already checked 856 out of 27,500 ACMs.

“Tine-test. Sinusubukan kung gumagana lahat ng hardware na component ng ating makina,” Garcia said in a press briefing on Thursday.

(The machines are undergoing tests to check if the hardware components are working properly.)

“For example, yung screen, yung touch screen nya. Yung scanner, gumagana ba? Yung mismong audio, gumagana ba lalo na yung gagamitin ng mga PWD na gustong mapakinggan ‘yung kung sino ang pagpipilian nila,” he explained.

(For example, the screen, the touch screen. Is the scanner working? Is the audio working, especially for PWD [persons with disability] who want to listen to the list of the candidates they will choose from.)

Other components of the ACMs will also undergo testing.

These parts include battery load operation, touch screen, scanner, printer, camera, audio, smartcard port, LED (light emitting diode), sensor, external keypad, network and HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface).

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Garcia noted that the testing is done by Miru Systems, the automated elections system provider tapped by the poll body, with the presence of Comelec representatives.

Once the machines are proven to be fully operational and the test is conducted successfully, it will be signed by the representative.

Garcia also said 5 percent of the machines delivered per batch will undergo stress tests to check if the machines can withstand temperature and other external factors.

This test is also done wherein 1,000 accomplished ballots are fed to the machines to generate reports and check the accuracy of the count.

Garcia said the poll body will immediately replace broken machines as part of their commitment to high quality standards for the ACMs.

“Ang rule kasi is kapag ang isa sa mga components ay hindi gumana, yung buong machine ang binabalewala. So technically, yung buong machine ang papalitan,” he said.

(The rule is if one of the components is not working, the whole machine will be disregarded. So technically, the whole machine will be replaced.)

“Ganun ‘yong rule natin kasi highest quality standard ang ini-impose natin dito sa Biñan. Gusto natin, dapat makapasa sa lahat ng test. Syempre, part siya ng component. Pag nasira, dapat mapalitan kasi may posibilidad na maapektuhan ‘yong kabuuan ng vote counting machine,” he told reporters.

(That is the rule of the highest quality standard that we are imposing here in Biñan. We want all of the machines to pass the test. Of course, if a component is broken, it should be replaced because there is a possibility that it will affect the whole vote counting machine.)

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Miru has also provided 2,200 laptops where each canvassing area will receive one laptop. It is  part of the deal with Comelec as the automated election systems provider.

Meanwhile, iOne Resources and Ardent Networks is in charge of the election’s transmission servers. iOne has already provided 2,000 starlink servers from its commitment of 7,000.

The chairman noted they are targeting to finish the testing by the end of December so they can focus on other election preparations afterwards.