The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is inviting the public to witness the final testing and sealing (FTS) of automated counting machines (ACMs) to be used in the May 12 elections at a shopping mall in Dumaguete City on May 6.

Lawyer Ian Macaraya, Comelec election officer of this Negros Oriental capital, said the FTS will ensure that all ACMs are operational and without any issues before their use on the day of the midterm polls.

“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 said.

He called on candidates, poll watchers, volunteers, the media, and other interested parties and individuals to witness the activity.

A total of 115 ACMs, equivalent to the number of clustered voting precincts in this capital, will be subject to testing.

The units arrived on April 17, are stored at a hub and will be delivered to the city’s Comelec office on April 28, along with the ballot boxes, prior to the FTS.

Meanwhile, Macaraya said all is set for mall voting at Robinsons Place.

A total of 1,946 registered voters from Barangay Tabuctubig (1,463 voters) and Barangay Poblacion 3 (483) are expected to cast their ballots at the mall on election day.

The voting will be held at the Atrium area with priority given to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those with special needs.

Macaraya said the mall will open its doors for voting at 5:00 a.m. (PNA)