Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has called on election stakeholders to actively participate in the monitoring of the final testing and sealing (FTS) of the automated counting machines (ACMs) designated for use in the upcoming May 12 elections.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia emphasized the significance of public and political party involvement in the FTS process, scheduled from May 2 to 7. During an interview at the commencement of the FTS at Pateros Elementary School, Garcia stated, "That's why I hope the people, political parties, take advantage of the FTS. Don't ignore it. If in the past its importance was not emphasized, now we want to be transparent."

Garcia encouraged the public to observe the procedures undertaken by Election Board Members and teachers, who have undergone extensive training to operate, repair, and manage the ACMs. He advised stakeholders to check the Comelec website for the FTS schedule across all regions.

The FTS involves a comprehensive test of the voting process, beginning with machine initialization, voting by at least ten randomly selected individuals, ballot feeding, and concluding with the printing of election returns. Garcia expressed confidence in the readiness for the elections, assuring, "We are almost ready to hold the polls. Our teachers are also ready even though the classrooms are small, we are ready to hold the election."

Garcia also urged candidates to spend the remaining days of their campaigns encouraging voter participation. "To our candidates, since it is the last 10 days and you have sufficiently introduced yourselves, let us just encourage the people to vote on election day," he said.

Comelec data indicates that there are 68,431,965 registered voters for the midterm elections.