Comelec may adopt new rule to make 15% shade on ballot valid

FILE PHOTO: Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may adopt a new policy that would make the 15 percent threshold mark on the ballot valid. The Comelec en banc is expected to discuss the proposed new policy when it holds its regular session on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) may adopt a new policy to make the 15 percent threshold mark on the ballot valid.

Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia told election watchdogs and the media, who attended the end-to-end testing of the automated elections system at Palacio del Gobernador, on Tuesday that the new rule will be implemented starting next year for the May 2025 polls.

“What’s important is the intent of the voter, and no voter should be disenfranchised,” Garcia said in a press conference.

“The 15 percent threshold is really, to ensure that every vote will be counted,” he also said.

READ: Comelec eyes stamping instead of shading for 2025 polls

However, Garcia said the Comelec en banc should first officially approve the new policy. The Comelec en banc will hold its regular session on Wednesday, October 30.

Garcia noted that the new vote counting machines are now better equipped to read any marks – even check marks.

But he still discouraged voters to mark their ballots with a check because it should be shaded.

“It should really be shading and not checking. What we are saying is, even if we test the machine, it even reads the check [marks],” Garcia said.

“But it should be shaded — not checks or X [marks],” he added.