Philippines to add biometrics into voting machines for 2025 elections

The Commission on Elections in the Philippines plans to incorporate biometrics into voting machines for the 2025 elections. This technology aims to replace outdated machines and improve voter verification processes to prevent multiple voting instances. Despite financial constraints, the commission is determined to implement this upgrade, with support from Vice President Sara Duterte to eliminate manual ballot marking in future elections.
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The chairperson of the Commission on Elections in the Philippines said the commission will use new technology in the 2025 national elections. The technology will help to replace the old machines. The commission has already completed the biometrics, signature, facial and fingerprint. If these are integrated, it will help address the challenges of having a voter voting multiple times from one province to another city.

However, the commission is still struggling with funding challenges that limit the determination of the technology used. The new technology will replace the previous vote counting machines (VCMs) used in May 2022 polls. Vice President Sara Duterte has supported this move by advising Commission on Elections to consider doing away with ballot shading or handwriting on ballots during elections.