Comelec to voters: Don’t accept pre-marked ballots, report them

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded voters on Friday to make sure that their ballots are not pre-marked before they cast their vote in the upcoming May 2019 elections.

“Ang instruction po natin sa mga botante, bago nila tanggapin ‘yung balota na binibigay sa kanila ng BEI [Board of Election Inspectors], kailangan tignan nila at siguraduhin na walang marka ‘yung balota,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a media forum.

Jimenez recalled how some claimed that the 2016 polls were rigged because of supposed pre-marked or pre-shaded ballots.

“Nung 2016, maraming naglabasang balita na may pandaraya daw na nagaganap kasi pre-marked yung ballots na dinistribute. So ‘yung iba naka-highlight ‘yung isang row. ‘Yung iba, may pre-shaded ganyan,” he said.

In case voters receive ballots which are pre-marked, Jimenez advised they take photos and report it to the Comelec.

“Kung may makita silang kahit anong marka doon sa balota, ‘wag na ‘wag nilang tatanggapin ‘yan. So kailangan siguraduhin natin na ‘yung balota walang marka. Let’s make sure na walang marka,” he reiterated.

“Again, kung maglalabasan ang mga balita na yung mga balota, pre-marked, etcetera, kung sakaling may matisod kayong ganon, retratuhan niyo agad, padala niyo. Pero ‘wag niyong tatanggapin,” he added. /je