Comelec pushes ahead with printing of ballots for barangay, SK polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday started printing the 91 million ballots to be used in the barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan polls, saying it wants to be prepared even amid the election's looming postponement, according to Maki Pulido's report on "24 Oras."

Election officials assured the ballot can still be used next year in case the polls will not push through this year.

"Sa part namin at least hindi nagkulang ang Comelec, at least nakaroon kami ng foresight," Comelec chairperson George Garcia said.

The printing of the ballots is expected to take about a month and will cost P901 million.

Comelec said it is looking to store the printed ballots in the National Printing Office. It has yet to decide whether to continue or halt the printing process if the proposed bill postponing the polls is signed into law.

“Nasisiguro ko po na pagdating ng election, magagamit po lahat ng balota, hindi masisira,” Commissioner Rey Bulay said.

The Senate and the House of Representatives on Wednesday ratified the bicameral conference committee report postponing the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to last Monday of October 2023.

The measure is now up for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s signature.

Meanwhile, the poll body said it will start refusing the certificate of candidacies (COC) of overaged candidates in the SK race.

Section 10 of Republic Act No. 10742 provides “an official of the Sangguniang Kabataan, either elective or appointee, must be a citizen of the Philippines, a qualified voter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, a resident of the barangay not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the elections, at least 18 years but not more than 24 years of age on the day of the elections”.

“We can now refuse to accept the certificates of candidacies...'yun po ay para mapigilan na ma-prostitute ang ating electoral process,” Comelec chairperson  George Garcia said.

“Ang dami pong ginagawang ganoon. Alam nila sa sobrang dami ng kaso sa Comelec, hindi namin kaagad nareresolve,” he said.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News