Comelec: Reprinting of ballots for 2025 elections a first in history

/ 02:42 PM January 15, 2025

MANILA, Philippines — The reprinting of ballots for the 2025 elections is a first in electoral history, said Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia on Wednesday.

According to Garcia, the poll body had also received temporary restraining orders (TROs) from the Supreme Court (SC) in various cases involving poll aspirants in the past. However, the printing of ballots proceeded nonetheless.

“First time po ito sa pangyayari natin sa ating electoral history na ang Comelec ay mag-oorder ng reprinting, back to zero bilang pagtalima sa utos ng ating Kataas-taasang Hukuman,” Garcia said in a press conference.

Article continues after this advertisement

(This is the first time in our electoral history that the Comelec will order a reprinting, back to zero, in compliance with the order of our Supreme Court.)

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Comelec to destroy 6 million printed ballots for 2025 polls

On Tuesday, the SC issued temporary restraining orders to the poll body regarding the cases of five election aspirants, halting the printing of ballots immediately. The Comelec, which began printing ballots on January 6, had already printed approximately six million ballots.

Article continues after this advertisement

The SC reversed the poll body’s initial ruling declaring senatorial aspirant Subair Guinthum Mustapha as a nuisance candidate. The Comelec stated that Mustapha’s name will now be included on the ballots.

Article continues after this advertisement

Garcia also noted that the poll body aims to begin reprinting ballots on Monday, January 20, once contingency measures, such as changes to the ballot faces and the election management system — which contains the contents and process of printing ballots — are finalized.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Ballot reprinting won’t lead to postponement of May polls – Garcia

Meanwhile, Garcia affirmed that the suspension of printing of ballots will not result in the postponement of the 2025 elections.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: 2025 elections, Philippine Elections

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2025 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.