Dumaguete: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is inviting the public to witness the final testing and sealing (FTS) of automated counting machines (ACMs), which are set to be used in the May 12 elections. This event will take place at Robinsons Place mall on May 6.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lawyer Ian Macaraya, the Comelec election officer of Dumaguete, emphasized that the FTS process is crucial to ensure that all ACMs are fully operational and free of defects before being deployed for the midterm polls. Macaraya noted, "This is for transparency purposes. The teachers will be testing the ACMs in the presence of witnesses before they are sealed until May 12 when the units are opened for the voting process."

Macaraya is calling on candidates, poll watchers, volunteers, the media, and other interested parties and individuals to observe the testing process. A total of 115 ACMs, corresponding to the number of clustered voting precincts in Dumaguete, will undergo testing. These units, which arrived on April 17, are currently stored at a hub and are scheduled for delivery to the city's Comelec office on April 28, alongside the ballot boxes, ahead of the FTS.

In addition, Macaraya confirmed that all preparations are complete for the mall voting at Robinsons Place. There are 1,946 registered voters from Barangay Tabuctubig and Barangay Poblacion 3 expected to participate in the voting process at the mall on election day. Voting will be conducted in the Atrium area, with priority access granted to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and individuals with special needs. Macaraya mentioned that the mall will open for voting at 5 a.m.