March 29, 2024

The Commission on Elections said the deployment of election paraphernalia including official ballots, vote counting machines is almost complete.

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said all ballot boxes and transmission devices have been delivered to local hubs.

The deployment of vote counting machines is almost complete at 96.44 percent, 99.54 percent of the external batteries have been delivered, and 99.01 percent of the consolidated canvassing system laptop have been dispatched.

As for the official ballots, 48 percent have been deployed.

The Comelec has also allowed companions of persons with disability (PWD) to go inside polling precincts and assist the voter.

“The companions of persons with physical disability and circuit mobility issues and motor restrictions, such as tremors, will now be allowed inside polling precincts,” Ferolino said in a press briefing.

Ferolino said the proposal was approved by the Comelec en banc.

There are 511,612 PWDs that are registered to vote in the May 9 polls.

Commissioner Marlon Casquejo said they are scheduled to destroy more than 500,000 defective ballots on May 7.

“We have about 300,000 plus defective official ballots. But we will also destroy the roadshow ballots so we reached 500,000 ballots to be destroyed,” he said.

The defective ballots will be divided into three parts and will be disposed of after the May 9 polls. – PNA