This developed as vote counting machines (VCMs) and consolidated canvassing system (CCS) machines were delivered to polling centers and Comelec municipal and city offices starting on May 1 in Tarlac and May 2 in Pampanga.
“As of May 2, I can say that we are 95 percent ready,” said Comelec sssistant regional director Atty. Emmanuel Ignacio.
“All 8,048 VCMs are now in four identified hubs in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga. The VCMs are expected to be delivered in all municipalities and cities by morning of May 3,” Ignacio added.
He said the delivery of ballots will be completed by May 5 and a simultaneous final testing and sealing of the VCMs is also scheduled on the same day.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy regional director for operations Senior Supt. Timoteo Pacleb said they will be deploying 5,488 personnel in 2,825 polling centers in the region.
“An additional 712 of our personnel will be detailed in 131 canvassing areas,” Pacleb added.
On top of this, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will also be deploying 611 soldiers to help the PNP particularly in the 20 towns and cities that were placed under the Election Watchlist Areas.
Ignacio said Central Luzon has a total of 6,051,211 registered voters for this year’s pollsthe third highest in the country after Calabarzon and the National Capital Region.
Of the seven provinces, Bulacan has the most number of voters with 1,605,326 followed by Nueva Ecija- 1,357,493; Pampanga- 1,285,692; Tarlac- 740,755; Bataan- 483,631; Zambales- 454,268; and Aurora- 124,046.
