Over 500,000 defective, testing ballots to be destroyed on May 7 — Comelec

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

MANILA, Philippines — Over 500,000 defective and testing ballots will be destroyed on May 7, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.

Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said that the half a million ballots will be destroyed in front of the public.

Umabot po tayo ng (We reached) [300,000] plus—I don’t have the exact number—for the official ballots and we will also destruct those roadshow ballots,” he shared in a press briefing.

“So, umabot po tayo ng (we reached) 500,000 plus ballots that will be destroyed in front of the media as well as the public,” he added.

When asked if the ballots would be burned, Casquejo said that it is in violation of the law, so the ballots will be torn into three parts.

“Bawal po ‘yan sa (It is not allowed under the) Clean Air Act. So, ang gagawin po, hahatiin (What we will do, we will split it) into three parts… and then, later on, after elections it will be disposed,” he explained.

The Commission on Elections has printed 67.4 million ballots for the May 9 elections.

Based on Comelec’s data, there are 65.8 million voters for the May 9 polls, including 6.9 million new registered voters.

Overseas absentee voting, meanwhile, already began on April 10 and will end on May 9.

JPV