Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Garcia assured lawmakers that ballots already printed for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will not go to waste should the scheduled polls on November 2 be reset.
Speaking during a House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms hearing, Garcia said the COMELEC can issue a resolution authorizing the use of the already printed ballots for a rescheduled BSKE, even if the ballots bear the original election date.
“Ang balota po, hindi po masasayang. Kahit po ito may date na, it will just issue a resolution na kung saan ang sasabihin lang namin kung ano ang print namin na balota ay yun na rin po yung gagamitin natin sa isang reset na Barangay/SK Elections,” Garcia said.
Garcia explained that while the ballots can still be used for a reset election, the poll body would need to assess other election materials, particularly those with limited shelf lives.
“Kung meron po siguro, titingnan po namin yung mga tinta, yung mga ballpen, yung mga thumbprint takers at saka po yung mga indelible inks sapagkat isang taon lang po kasi ang expiry dates ng mga,” he said.
He noted that some materials could deteriorate over time, potentially drying out, changing color, or becoming unusable.
“May posibilidad po na matuyo, magbago ang kulay o hindi na sumulat yung mga ballpen,” Garcia added, while emphasizing that the printed ballots themselves could still be utilized.
Garcia also said the COMELEC would conduct another voter registration period in September if the November 2 BSKE does not push through.
“Kung sakali pong halimbawa hindi matuloy ang November 2, barangay ng SK elections, magre-resume po kami ng registration of voters muli ngayong darating na September,” Garcia said.
He explained that the additional registration period would allow qualified voters who were unable to register, voters whose registration had been deactivated, and those seeking to transfer their registration to participate in the elections.
“Sapagkat siyempre po kinakailang ma-parehistro natin yung mga hindi nakahabol, yung mga na-deactivate, yung mga magpapatransfer ng kanilang registration,” he said.
Garcia added that the duration of the registration period would depend on the eventual date set for the rescheduled BSKE.
The COMELEC chief's statements came amid discussions in the House on possible changes to the schedule of the barangay and youth council elections.
