THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has secured the international certification for the automated election system (AES) in the May 12 national and local elections.
The vetting covers transmission, voting machines, and internet voting as proof that all election processes are functioning as a single, integrated system.
Under Republic Act No. 9369, the Technical Evaluation Commission (TEC) must secure certification from an established international entity at least three months before election day.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the TEC is in-charge of obtaining certification from an established international certifying body.
He said testing of the hardware and software components has already been accomplished.
The certification has verified that the AES, including its hardware and software components, are operating properly, securely, and accurately.
Last Saturday, the Comelec demonstrated the “trusted build” of the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for the 2025 elections, the final step needed for international certification.
“We presented the so-called hash code, which can be verified. You can’t generate a hash code unless the system is functioning properly. It’s like building a car—this is the final model, and the only thing left is quality control, the certification to ensure that it works as intended and can be trusted,” Garcia explained.
Garcia said previous TEC certifications were secured on May 6, 2022, May 3, 2019, April 30, 2016, Feb. 13, 2013,k and March 9, 2010.
