Comelec extends conduct of local source code review

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday announced the extension of the local source code review (LSCR) until January 2025, instead of the end of December this year.

In his request for an extension, Comelec Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco noted that the extension is necessary because the source codes currently being reviewed "are not yet the secured versions of the systems intended for the final trusted build."

Laudiangco, the head of the LSCR Committee, said extending the review will allow for a more thorough examination of the systems and source codes to be used during the May 2025 polls.

"Granting this extension will provide our reviewers sufficient time to thoroughly examine the source codes to be utilized on Election Day," he continued.

The Comelec official said they would also invite major universities to organize immersion tours of the LSCR facility in Makati and highlight the automated counting machines (ACMs).

"This initiative aims to foster greater transparency and awareness of the technologies underpinning Comelec's automated election system while generating increased public engagement and confidence in the election system," he added.

The source code serves as the "brain" that will feed the ACMs to check if they will function accurately on Election Day.