Comelec live streams ballot printing | Inquirer News

Comelec live streams ballot printing

/ 05:46 AM March 19, 2022

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez inspects the printing of AES ballots for the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, which started at approximately 11:27 A.M on 23 January 2022, at the National Printing Office (NPO). COMELEC/Facebook

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez inspects the printing of AES ballots for the May 9, 2022 National and Local Elections, which started at approximately 11:27 A.M on January 23, 2022, at the National Printing Office (NPO). COMELEC/Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has begun streaming the printing of official ballots for the May 9 elections on its social media platforms following complaints from candidates and political parties, the poll body’s spokesperson said on Friday.

James Jimenez, spokesperson for the Comelec, said the “uninterrupted” live feed from the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City will be accessible 24 hours every day, seven days a week.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The livestream will go on for as long as ballots and other election paraphernalia are being printed,” Jimenez said in a statement.

FEATURED STORIES

“Consider this move our way of communicating to the public that their concerns do not fall on deaf ears, and that the Comelec will take all steps necessary to promote transparency and secure public trust for the elections,” he added.

On the first two days, the livestream showed video images from the printing area, packing and shipping area, and quarantine room at the NPO.

Article continues after this advertisement

The quarantine room is where ballots, rejected due to irregular margins, smudges, and other deficiencies, are rechecked.

Article continues after this advertisement

Aside from this, Jimenez said the Comelec also put up observation areas at the NPO and its warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Article continues after this advertisement

The livestream began on Thursday, just two days after veteran election lawyer Romulo Macalintal questioned the Comelec’s denial of their request to send representatives of presidential bet and Vice President Leni Robredo to the NPO to witness the ballot printing.

Similarly, lawyer Victor Rodriguez, spokesperson for leading presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said they were also “essentially disallowed” from observing the printing of ballots.

Article continues after this advertisement

Both Rodriguez and Macalintal said they had written the Comelec to ask that their representatives be allowed to observe the printing of ballots as mandated by the Omnibus Election Code.

READ: Bets raise concerns over Comelec ballot printing

But Comelec executive director Bartolome Sinocruz denied their request, saying that “critical areas” at the NPO were off-limits.

Worse, the candidates’ campaign teams learned that the decision to disallow party observers was made only by Election Commissioner Marlon Casquejo without the concurrence of the other commissioners.

On March 16, Casquejo said the decision was a mistake and apologized.

On the same day, newly appointed Commissioner George Garcia announced that the Comelec will allow the random testing of ballots as requested by the candidates.

RELATED STORIES

Comelec: 73% of ballots for May polls already printed

Comelec clarifies only over 100,000 ballots had been found defective

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Comelec starts printing of ‘manual’ ballots

TAGS: #VotePH2022, ballot, Comelec, printing

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.