Comelec Assures Vote-Counting Machines Are Tamper-Proof

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Commission on Elections Western Visayas (Comelec-6) has assured the public that vote-counting machines (VCMs) are secure and impervious to fraud.

Comelec-6 Regional Director Atty. Dennis Ausan stated there is zero chance of “daya” or cheating during vote counting, noting that the Commission has used an automated election system (AES) for vote counting since 2010.

“Cheating with the machine is different from cheating outside the machine. As far as the Commission is concerned, our machines do not involve any cheating. I can say that 101 percent,” Ausan said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The AES employs VCMs that scan and tabulate paper ballots filled out by voters. After a voter inserts their ballot, the VCM scans and records the marks, then securely counts votes as each ballot is processed.

Once polling ends, the VCM transmits the tally to Comelec’s central server and local canvassing centers, which Ausan highlighted as mechanisms that ensure transparency, speed, and accuracy.

Ausan added that the VCMs to be used in the 2025 midterm elections have been upgraded.

Following the disqualification of Smartmatic from procurement due to alleged bribery involving a former Comelec chairperson, the Commission acquired new machines from Miru Systems.

Despite Smartmatic’s proposal to reuse existing VCMs, Comelec opted for new machines, awarding Miru Systems a contract worth approximately PHP17.9 billion.

“Two months ahead of schedule, our provider has already manufactured 110,000 machines. The remaining shipment of about 30,000 units will arrive next week. We are nearly complete, and the machines will undergo hardware testing to ensure they meet our specifications,” Ausan said.

A key feature of the new VCMs is a 14-inch screen that displays each completed ballot, allowing all stakeholders to view them.

“The enhancement allows voters to see their completed ballot once it’s fed into the machine,” he explained.

The receipt generated by the machine includes a QR code that, after counting and transmission, can be scanned to show exactly what appeared on the receipt, enhancing transparency.

To familiarize the public with the new VCMs, Ausan said Comelec will conduct a nationwide roadshow expected to conclude by Jan. 31, 2025.

“The roadshow will start after the final machine shipment, likely in the third week of November,” he said.

Western Visayas will receive 102 VCMs for the roadshow—one for each of its 101 cities and municipalities, plus one for the regional office.

Ausan emphasized that the roadshow will allow Comelec to provide general instructions for election canvassers and finalize the machine configuration for the midterm elections.