• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Commission on Elections is conducting a manual audit of vote count results generated by the automated counting machines (ACM) in 103 clustered precincts in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental in Monday’s midterm elections.
Of the clustered precincts, 18 are in Bacolod City, specifically the polling centers in the Negros Occidental High School, Mandalagan Elementary School, and C.L. Montelibano Elementary School.
The 85 clustered precincts in Negros Occidental selected for the random manual audit (RMA) are in Isabela, Calatrava, Kabankalan, Bago, Sagay, and Victorias, the Comelec said.
“Manual audit refers to the visual reading and counting of votes on a paper ballot, or its equivalent, without the use of a machine and a comparison of said results to results generated by the machine count,” it said. “(This is a) process of examination to determine whether the automated count of the ACMs under an automated election system (AES) is accurate, based on a manual verification of said count.”
The RMA, which started May 14, aims to verify the accuracy of automated election results, detect discrepancies between machine-counted and manual counts, and ensure public confidence in the electoral process, the Comelec explained.
Aside from Bacolod and Negros Occidental, the RMA will also be conducted for select polling precincts all over the country, or a total of 762 clustered precincts, per Comelec Resolution 11089 promulgated Dec. 12, 2024.
“The RMA shall be safe, efficient, transparent, participative, and credible,” the Comelec said, adding: “In no way shall the results of the RMA delay the proclamation of the winning candidates, based on the results reached by the AES.” | CGC
