Comelec asked to conduct random sampling of ballots with observers
AN ELECTION lawyer has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to examine randomly selected ballots in the presence of representatives of political parties and candidates for the May 9 elections to test the security of the printing process.
“These randomly selected ballots will be verified and examined by said representatives of the parties to determine if they contain all the security features as required by the law and will be fed into the vote counting-machines to find out if said ballots would be recognized by these machines,” lawyer Romulo B. Macalintal said in a letter to the Comelec en banc dated Mar. 16.
He reiterated the request of presidential candidate Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to let representatives observe the ballot printing, which is “disallowed in the meantime.”
Comelec Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo said on Tuesday that the printing process has been closed to observers due to the surge in coronavirus cases in January and mobility restrictions.
“With due respect, we submit that the printing of the ballots without giving notice to the political parties and candidates is a violation of Section 187 of the Omnibus Election Code and related provisions thereof since they are entitled to send their watchers to witness the printing of these ballots,” Mr. Macalintal said.
The Omnibus Election Code provides that the poll body should allow any designated representative to observe the printing, distribution, and similar proceedings related to the ballots upon the request of any candidate, political party, civic group, or any related organization.
Mr. Casquejo said 73% or 49 million of the 67.4 million ballots have been printed as of Tuesday.
Given the volume already printed, Mr. Macalintal said a transparency measure and compromise that could still be undertaken now is to provide candidates and political parties a full inventory of the ballots per province, city, and municipality, and allow observers during the remaining printing process.
Comelec on Wednesday live-streamed the printing of the official ballots at the National Printing Office on its Facebook page. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
