Dumaguete: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental has successfully completed the deployment of all Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) to the province's towns and cities. This significant logistical operation was finalized on Monday afternoon.

According to Philippines News Agency, the deployment involved five delivery vans that began transporting the machines at 5 a.m., reaching six cities and 19 municipalities across Negros Oriental. The delivery convoys were accompanied by police and military personnel to ensure the safe and secure transport of the machines.

Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, the Comelec-Negros Island Region director, confirmed that the deliveries were completed as scheduled. Castillano extended invitations to volunteers from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV)/Diocesan Electoral Board, as well as other interested parties, to witness the arrival of the ACMs in their respective localities. He emphasized the importance of transparency and public trust in the electoral process, encouraging public participation in observing the deployment and safeguarding the machines until election day.

A total of 1,289 ACMs, corresponding to the number of clustered voting centers in the province, were deployed on Monday. Contingency units were also assigned to each town or city. The battery packs for these machines were delivered separately at an earlier time. Upon their arrival, the ACMs were received by election officers at designated offices, where they will be stored securely until the Final Testing and Sealing process on May 6.

Castillano reassured the public that Comelec is on track with the delivery of ACMs and other necessary election materials, and that the process has been free of significant incidents.