ALL SYSTEMS GO: Comelec Iloilo City 100% Ready for May 12 Polls

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Commission on Elections in Iloilo City is fully prepared for the May 12 midterm elections, including any challenges that may arise.

“We are 100% ready and in full swing,” said Jonathan Sayno, assistant officer II of Comelec-Iloilo City, in an interview with Daily Guardian on Thursday, May 8.

Comelec has completed the final testing and sealing (FTS) of all 417 automated counting machines (ACMs), along with 58 contingency units.

Sayno said the FTS process went smoothly, with only minor issues such as difficulty locating the smart USB in the compartment.

On May 5, FTS was conducted for three ACMs assigned to Festive Walk Mall Iloilo.

The remaining machines were tested simultaneously on May 8.

The ACMs are now secured at 66 voting centers and will be deployed to 417 clustered precincts across the city at exactly 12:01 a.m. on May 12.

Sayno said no major security concerns have been identified and that the Philippine National Police is ready to maintain peace and order.

“Our peace and order situation is stable,” he said.

“Our PNP and Comelec teams are prepared, with police personnel on duty at voting centers since May 6.”

Meanwhile, Election Officer Atty. Pinky Tentativa said they are ready for any technical issues that may arise during the election.

She said they have contingency machines on standby and access to a technical hub at the Comelec Provincial Office.

They also have deployed Department of Election and Canvassing Operations Technical Staff to assist on the ground.

One anticipated challenge is enforcing early voting hours, as some regular voters may insist on voting during the time allotted for priority groups.

Early voting on May 12 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. is reserved for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women.

Only these groups and their assistors will be allowed to vote during that time.

This ensures a safer and more convenient voting experience before regular hours begin at 7 a.m.

Regular voters must wait until the general voting period from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We remind our voters that early voting is exclusive to our vulnerable sectors,” Tentativa said.

She stressed that regular voters will not be allowed to vote early even if no priority voters are present.

Tentativa added that PWDs with non-apparent disabilities must present their identification cards to vote during early voting hours.