Pasay City: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Friday that the ongoing Random Manual Audit (RMA) of the May 12 elections has so far indicated a 99.997% accuracy rate between the automated counting machines (ACMs) and the manual tally.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia stated during a press briefing at the Citadines Hotel in Pasay City, "So far, 99.997 percent accuracy rate on the ballots that have been audited." He further mentioned that a detailed report is expected to be available next week.

As of the press briefing, a total of 723 ballots have undergone the RMA. The Comelec anticipates that the audit of the remaining ballot boxes will be completed within the day. Garcia highlighted that the current accuracy rate surpasses the 99.94% recorded in the May 2022 national and local elections.

Garcia also noted that the RMA results have not faced any challenges. "Since 2010, there were no questions regarding RMA result," he said. The RMA involves a manual examination of the ballots cast to verify the count of the machines used in the elections. The votes being counted include those for senator, party-list group, congressional representative, and mayor.

Section 29 of the Automated Election System (AES) Act mandates that there shall be a random manual audit in one precinct per congressional district, randomly chosen by the Commission in each province and city where the AES is used.