THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the holding next week of random testing of ballots and Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) that will be used for the upcoming May 9 national and local elections..
This was confirmed by Comelec Commissioner George Garcia to the media today.
He said the Comelec en banc will come up with the schedule for the random testing of ballots and VCMs, while Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez will take charge in the crafting of the guidelines.
According to Garcia, the poll body’s mandate is to ensure transparency and ultimately remove all doubts as regards the integrity of the process in relation to the election.
Election lawyer Atty. Romulo Macalintal earlier asked the Comelec to conduct a random sampling for all ballots that the poll body has already printed.
This came about amid complaints by various groups guarding the process, who said there was no advise from the Comelec regarding the printing of the ballots since it was clear in the Omnibus Election Code that there should be a representative or observer from the political parties or candidates to observe the ballot printing process and its distribution.
Meanwhile, Atty. Macalintal already requested the Comelec en banc to conduct the random sampling of ballots through a formal letter.
Commissioner Garcia said this is already part of their agenda during their meeting today.