THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said almost 106,000 defective ballots were printed at the National Printing Office (NPO) in relation to the upcoming national and local elections on May 9, 2022.
During the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms hearing, committee vice chairman Rep. Elpidio Barzaga quizzed the Comelec regarding the printing of the ballots for the elections.
According to the lawmaker, there were also printing of ballots done during the past automated elections, but there was no issue of defective ballots.
The committee vice chairman also questioned the poll body why there were no observers during the printing of the ballots at the NPO.
Commissioner George Garcia, however, confirmed that based on the latest numbers today, there were about 105,853 defective ballots from the more than 55 million already printed.
These ballots either contained smudges or dirt, the cut was uneven, colors were not of the correct shade, some even had lines on them, and many others.
According to the Comelec official, the defective ballots will be presented to the public and all defective ballots will be burned and all political parties will be advised.
At present, there are four working printing machines at the NPO, while another one is still brand new.
Garcia likewise assured that the Comelec is totally committed and focused on transparency with regard to the printing of ballots.
The ballots are still not distributed nations since the printing is not yet finished and there are other processes to be followed, but the public can see the printing process since this is streamed live on the poll body’s Facebook page.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Comelec Facebook page)_