ZAMBOANGA CITY – The first batch of Automated Counting Machines and voting paraphernalia for the elections next month here arrived on Saturday, April 12.
Jan Christian Babiera, Commission on Elections District Election Officer, said the first batch of machines and voting paraphernalia arrived on board four trucks.
A TRUCK delivers Comelec voting machines and paraphernalia to Zamboanga City.
They are currently stored in a Comelec-rented warehouse guard by the Zamboanga City police and the Joint Task Force Zamboanga at all times.
“This warehouse is only intended for the ACMs, for the CCS kits, and the batteries. ‘Yung ibang paraphernalia natin ay nandoon na sa City Treasurer’s Office meron na rin tayo sa Comelec office but the accountable forms such as the official ballots ay darating pa lang,” Babiera said.
The second batch of voting machines and election paraphernalia are expected to arrive next week from the Comelec warehouse in Laguna.
Election paraphernalia intended for the island-provinces and other cities and municipalities in Zamboanga Peninsula are also expected to arrive in Zamboanga City before being delivered to these areas.
Meanwhile, Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete ordered his men to prepare for a range of possible scenarios during the polls.
Nafarrete issued the instruction during a recent meeting with troops of Joint Task Force Central in Camp Siongco in Maguindanao del Norte in line with security operations for the elections.
He instructed his men to prepare for possible scenarios such as election sabotage, threats of violence, and civil disturbances.
Nafarrete underscored the need to develop effective strategies, remaining flexible in adjusting plans to evolving situations and ensuring constant coordination with adjacent units, the Comelec, and their counterparts in the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Westmincom chief reminded his men to remain apolitical and professional. Similar meetings are scheduled to be held in other joint task forces under the jurisdiction of Westmincom.