Comelec begins ballot delivery in Eastern Visayas
A sample ballot used during a 2025 midterm elections roadshow in Tacloban City. (Photo from Comelec Eastern Visayas)
TACLOBAN CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started the delivery of 3.2 million ballots in Eastern Visayas this week.
The move is as part of its heightened preparations for the upcoming midterm elections on May 12.
Comelec Eastern Visayas assistant regional director Maria Corazon Montallana said their central office started shipping the ballots to the region on April 30.
These ballots are up for distribution to cities and municipalities on or before May 7.
“We will send the ballots to the provincial treasurer’s office,” she told reporters on Friday.
“They are mobilized to help facilitate the distribution of ballot boxes and election paraphernalia to all component municipalities and cities,” she noted.
Independent cities receive their supplies directly from the Comelec.
After the elections, ballot boxes are delivered to municipal or city treasurers for secure safekeeping.
In the event of any election protests, they may be summoned to present the ballot boxes under their custody in court.
The Comelec no longer allocates excess ballots for replacement for spoiled ones, unlike in the past elections, according to Montallana.
She said over 4,000 automated counting machines (ACMs) are now kept in public buildings in cities and municipalities.
The machines are scheduled for delivery to polling centers on May 6, ahead of the final testing and sealing activities set for May 7.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army reported on Friday that nearly 1,290 personnel from 19 army units of the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) cast their votes on April 28 to 30.
This activity took place during the local absentee voting held at the army headquarters in Catbalogan City, Samar.
Under the system for the 2025 midterm elections, voters can only select national positions – senators and party-lists – but not local positions since absentee voting occurs outside their official place of registration.
In a statement, Major General Adonis Ariel Orio, 8ID commander, underscored the importance of civic engagement among soldiers.
He said voting is a powerful expression of their dedication not only to national security but also to democracy.
