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COMELEC Scrambles As SC TROs Force Emergency Meeting On 2025 Ballot Printing
COMELEC File
In an unexpected twist ahead of the 2025 National and Local Elections, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia called for an emergency meeting today, January 14, to decide on suspending the printing of election ballots. This urgent gathering follows the issuance of multiple Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) by the Supreme Court concerning various election-related cases.
“We're currently assessing if we need to halt the printing process temporarily,” Chairman Garcia shared. “The implications are significant—everything from the election management system to the candidate database will need revising. We would essentially have to start over, including re-serializing every candidate's name nationwide.”
What Led to This?
The Supreme Court issued TROs for several cases, compelling the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to reconsider its current election preparation strategies. In a press statement, COMELEC spokesperson Atty. John Rex C. Laudiangco emphasized the poll body's commitment to complying fully with the Supreme Court's orders.
The cases under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny include:
1. Subair Guintlum Mustapha vs. COMELEC
2. Charles Savellano vs. Ronald Singson and COMELEC
3. Chito Bulatao Balintay vs. COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor of Zambales
4. Edgar Erice vs. COMELEC and Raymond DC Salipot
5. Florendo de Ramos Ritualo Jr. vs. COMELEC and Annaliza Ventura Telada
What's Next?
To comply with the Supreme Court’s orders, COMELEC is taking several critical steps:
Suspension of Ballot Printing: Immediate cessation of all ballot printing activities at the National Printing Office (NPO).
Database Overhaul: Modifications to the Candidates' Database and Election Management System (EMS).
Re-serialization: Adjustments to the numbering of candidates on ballots.
Inventory and Reprinting: A comprehensive inventory of the already printed six million ballots and plans for reprinting affected ballots.
Scheduling Changes: Cancellation and rescheduling of the Trusted Build for the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) and Mock Elections initially set for January 15 and 18, respectively.
Despite the daunting task ahead, COMELEC assures the public that there's no need to panic. “While these actions are time-consuming and costly, we fully respect the Supreme Court's decision,” Laudiangco noted. “We are in control of the situation and will implement the necessary measures to minimize delays.”
Moving Forward
COMELEC has already notified key stakeholders, including government bodies, election aspirants, and political parties, about these developments. The poll body will begin the process of securing and destroying the existing printed ballots to prevent any unauthorized use starting January 15.
As the election date approaches, all eyes are on COMELEC as it navigates this complex situation, ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent, fair, and on schedule.
“We're currently assessing if we need to halt the printing process temporarily,” Chairman Garcia shared. “The implications are significant—everything from the election management system to the candidate database will need revising. We would essentially have to start over, including re-serializing every candidate's name nationwide.”
What Led to This?
The Supreme Court issued TROs for several cases, compelling the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to reconsider its current election preparation strategies. In a press statement, COMELEC spokesperson Atty. John Rex C. Laudiangco emphasized the poll body's commitment to complying fully with the Supreme Court's orders.
The cases under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny include:
1. Subair Guintlum Mustapha vs. COMELEC
2. Charles Savellano vs. Ronald Singson and COMELEC
3. Chito Bulatao Balintay vs. COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor of Zambales
4. Edgar Erice vs. COMELEC and Raymond DC Salipot
5. Florendo de Ramos Ritualo Jr. vs. COMELEC and Annaliza Ventura Telada
What's Next?
To comply with the Supreme Court’s orders, COMELEC is taking several critical steps:
Suspension of Ballot Printing: Immediate cessation of all ballot printing activities at the National Printing Office (NPO).
Database Overhaul: Modifications to the Candidates' Database and Election Management System (EMS).
Re-serialization: Adjustments to the numbering of candidates on ballots.
Inventory and Reprinting: A comprehensive inventory of the already printed six million ballots and plans for reprinting affected ballots.
Scheduling Changes: Cancellation and rescheduling of the Trusted Build for the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) and Mock Elections initially set for January 15 and 18, respectively.
Despite the daunting task ahead, COMELEC assures the public that there's no need to panic. “While these actions are time-consuming and costly, we fully respect the Supreme Court's decision,” Laudiangco noted. “We are in control of the situation and will implement the necessary measures to minimize delays.”
Moving Forward
COMELEC has already notified key stakeholders, including government bodies, election aspirants, and political parties, about these developments. The poll body will begin the process of securing and destroying the existing printed ballots to prevent any unauthorized use starting January 15.
As the election date approaches, all eyes are on COMELEC as it navigates this complex situation, ensuring that the electoral process remains transparent, fair, and on schedule.
Jan 14, 2025
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