Cebu: Some automated counting machines (ACMs) in Central Visayas experienced minor technical glitches during the midterm polls on Monday. However, these issues were swiftly addressed and deemed “very negligible and manageable.”

According to Philippines News Agency, Commission on Elections (Comelec)-7 Director Francisco Pobe explained in a briefing that the glitches primarily involved the ACMs’ optical readers, which accumulated dirt and misread ballots. Teachers, with the consent of all stakeholders including poll watchers, implemented immediate remedial measures to resolve these problems.

Pobe also highlighted incidents of misdelivered ballots in various Cebu municipalities. Specific cases included 19 ballots from Bantayan Island erroneously sent to Balamban, 20 ballots for Argao delivered to Aloguinsan, 42 ballots from Candijay, Bohol intended for Cebu’s second district, and 102 ballots mistakenly sent to Tambogon, San Remigio instead of Barangay Lambason, San Remigio. Additionally, 319 ballots in Tabuelan were under verification, and 44 ballots in Mandaue City were missing a second page.

An unusual case involved a box of ballots meant for Tuburan, San Fernando in Cebu being delivered to Naawan, Misamis Oriental. Nevertheless, Pobe confirmed that all ballots within Cebu were accounted for, and coordination with local election officers and law enforcement personnel was ongoing to rectify these logistical errors.

Pobe noted that statistically, a 100 percent voting turnout in any precinct is improbable, suggesting that the misdelivered ballots were unlikely to significantly impact the election results. He projected an optimistic voter turnout of 80 to 85 percent, driven by enthusiasm for the new voting machines and a competitive political environment.

On the topic of campaign materials, Pobe reminded all parties and candidates to adhere to a resolution requiring the removal of campaign propaganda within five days after the elections.