A voter feeds the ballot he filled out into the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) during a mock election inside the Cotabato City High School–Bucana (Datu Ayunan National High School) in Barangay Kalanganan, Cotabato City on Saturday, June 27, 2026. (Photo from DXMS Radyo Bida)
COTABATO CITY — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Saturday personally led the voting simulation exercise in Cotabato City.
This is part of the poll body’s preparations for the upcoming Bangsamoro parliamentary elections scheduled on September 14 this year.
Speaking to reporters while the mock voting was in progress in Cotabato City Institute here, Garcia said the exercise was designed to thoroughly assess and test the readiness of election personnel, voting procedures, election systems and equipment.
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The poll body is also checking the security and coordinations for the first-ever regional elections.
The school-based voting simulation was conducted from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at selected polling sites in Maguindanao del Norte.
The places include Rebuken Elementary School, Katamlangan Elementary School, Cotabato City Institute and Cotabato City High School–Bucana.
The Provincial Board of Canvassers for Maguindanao del Norte and the Regional Board of Canvassers also held their operational simulation beginning at 10 a.m. at the Kampilan Officers Club in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.
Lawyer Ray Sumalipao, Bangsamoro regional election director, emphasized that the participation of stakeholders in the exercise plays a vital role in promoting transparency and in strengthening public confidence in the inaugural parliament balloting.
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Each clustered precinct accommodated 50 registered voters.
Speaking to reporters in Rebuken Elementary School in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, Garcia said he is happy with the progress of the mock election.
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“Everything is going well. We have not experienced any major problems as far as the operation of the machines are concerned,” Garcia reported. /apl
