The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is gearing up to explore the next generation of voting technology. The poll body has announced plans to organize a technology fair early next year, aiming to survey the latest automated election systems (AES) available globally.
Comelec Seeks Latest Election Tech
Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco revealed the plan during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing on Friday, December 26, 2025. He stated that the event is part of a more in-depth research initiative by the commission to stay abreast of technological advancements in the electoral process.
"As early as next year, you will see that the Comelec will conduct a more in-depth research where we will have a technology fair again," Laudiangco said. "We will look at what is new in the world when it comes to election technology and that is what the Comelec wants."
Key Criteria for New Systems
Laudiangco outlined the essential components the Comelec will be looking for in any new automated election system. The primary focus will be on solutions that are user-friendly, secure, and capable of producing accurate results.
"(The) technology must not be complicated. To make the process easy, it must be safe, it must be accurate and above all, easy to audit and understand by our countrymen," he emphasized.
This renewed focus will lead to intensified efforts in several critical areas of the electoral process:
- Enhanced auditing capabilities
- Guaranteed accuracy of results
- Maximum transparency
- Increased public participation in all preparation stages
Building on Past Initiatives
The upcoming fair will not be the first of its kind. The Comelec, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) and the Comelec Advisory Council (CAC), last held an AES Technology Fair in 2019. That event saw participation from several technology providers showcasing their solutions.
In the most recent May 2025 national and local elections, the Comelec utilized automated counting machines (ACMs) supplied by Miru Systems, a company based in South Korea. The planned 2026 technology fair indicates the commission's proactive approach to evaluating potential systems and suppliers for future electoral exercises, ensuring the continuous evolution of the Philippines' automated voting infrastructure.
