The Iloilo City Commission on Elections (COMELEC) presented officially through a roadshow the new machine to be used during the National and Local Elections (NLE) on May 12, 2025.

Demonstration on the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) was held at the library of Iloilo City National High School. 

Four barangays in the District of Molo underwent a voter education and ACM demonstration.

The barangays are Katilingban, San Antonio, Poblacion, and North San Jose.

The ACM can be used for two kinds of technology in the casting of votes.

The first is through an Optical Mark Reader or the traditional system that uses vote ballots, while the other one is the Direct Recording Electronic voting machine or voting using a touch screen which the Overseas Foreign Worker voters will use. 

The ACM has a 14-hour battery life, according to COMELEC, that will put aside the need for an electrical outlet or cable to operate.

The machine has an adjustable touch screen and privacy screen that can be rolled up or down to make its use convenient to voters, and to avoid display of information on the screen to other people.

The ballot is designed to be thinner this time compared to previous ballots, and carries security features or marks distinct to each voting precinct.

Feeding and scanning of ballots are assured quicker, with auto-align feature to avoid paper jam.

The ACM has headphones for visually challenged voters, and is designed to be user-friendly to the differently abled or persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“Compared sa previous na election, na-enhance na rin ang machine dahil at least makita mo kung sino ang ibinoto mo, ma-review mo exactly at mas madali,” Susanne Mates, a voter, shared of her experience in the demo. 

At least 102 ACMs have been deployed in provinces in the whole of Western Visayas for the voter education drive.

“Ini-explain na natin sa ating roadshow ang lahat na enhancements na ini-introduce. Pakinggan nila upang makita nila at ma-appreciate nila ang kagandahan nitong eleksyon at mawala ang kung ano mang pagduda,” Atty. Dennis Ausan, regional director of Comelec VI, said.

Comelec is set to bring the roadshow in more barangays, schools, and malls.