Comelec expects to print referendum ballots next month

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may start printing next month about 2 million official ballots that will be used in the Jan. 21, 2019, referendum for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law.

“We have no date yet, but most likely it will be in December,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

Jimenez said the Comelec had to take into consideration first 62 petitions for voluntary inclusion in the plebiscite.

Under Republic Act No. 11054, areas contiguous to the territorial jurisdiction of the proposed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao may submit a petition to the Comelec for voluntary inclusion. —TINA G. SANTOS