The Commission on Elections (Comelec) conducted the kick-off activity for the local source code review for the May 2022 elections on Monday, Oct. 4.

The local source code review seeks to provide interested parties, groups, and associations with opportunity to inspect and examine the source codes of the automated election system (AES) to build public trust, promote transparency and confidence on the AES.
It shall cover the Election Management System (EMS); the Vote-Counting Machine (VCM); the Consolidated Canvassing System (CCS); and all other related systems programmed and developed for use in the forthcoming polls.
"We are doing this review to ensure and show to everyone how safe and secure the AES," Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas said during the activity in Pasay City.
"This review is important so we can see right away if there are weaknesses in our system so we can resolve it," he added.
Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, meantime, asked reviewers not to use the activity as platform to criticize the AES.
"To our reviewers, we hope and we pray that you partner with us in making this event a resounding success. Your honest and open feedback is as valuable to the success of this activity as the very source code you are about to review," said the chairperson of the 2022 National and Local Elections Steering Committee.
"In performing your tasks, please be reminded that the review process should be focused on the legitimate objectives and should not be a platform to criticize the programming style or to rewrite the program to suit your own style or preferences," Casquejo added.
"We want you to help us uncover possible issues with our systems in as much as we want the general public to know about our readiness and preparedness," he said.
Republic Act No. 9369 provides that "once an AES technology is selected for implementation, the Commission shall promptly make the source code of that technology available and open to any interested party or group which may conduct their own review thereof."
Accredited to conduct the review are 10 political parties, two citizens arm groups, two civil society organizations, and the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.
The local source code review will run from October 5, 2021 to March 31, 2022 at the Diamond Hotel in Pasay City.