3 Comelec officials inspect counting machine plant in Korea

Three Commission on Elections commissioners flew to South Korea to check on the automated counting machines that Miru Systems Company Limited was building for the 2025 midterm elections.

"We are tasked here today to find out if the one who won the only single calculated bidder, who won together with their partner... [are able] to deliver to us our wish-list, hopefully," said Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay in Sandra Aguinaldo's Friday 24 Oras report.

"We are tasked here [to find out] if they can deliver 110,000 machines [we are renting]," Bulay added.

The commissioner emphasized that they were there, not only to inspect the plant as representatives of the Comelec but also as representatives of Filipino voters as well as the latter's hard-earned money that was being spent on the machines.

Miru officials, led by CEO Jinbok-Chung, accompanied Bulay and Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino and Commissioner-in-Charge Marlon Casquejo as they inspected the company's manufacturing plant in South Korea.

While there, the Filipino officials were shown the step-by-step manufacturing process.

They were also shown the machine's features that the Comelec had asked for, including the quick way ballots could be put through the machine, the summary of votes which can be displayed on a screen, a shroud on the screen to prevent peeking and the separate container for ballot receipts.

Miru officials also assured the Comelec commissioners that all the parts of the counting machines were manufactured in South Korea and were technologically more advanced than the machines the Philippines had previously used.

The company was also confident that their machines would work smoothly as these were repeatedly tested.

"I know that Miru Systems is advanced in technology and with manufacturing," said Commissioner Marlon Cascuejo.

"With the creation of the software that is listed in our wishlist, Miru can comply," he added.

Comelec officials would continue to visit the Miru plant until the production of all the counting machines was completed. — DVM, GMA Integrated News