Comelec: Giving sample ballots during election is illegal campaigning

Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Distributing sample ballots during Election Day is considered “illegal campaigning,” the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco reminded the public amid the reported distribution of sample ballots containing the names of candidates.

“That is illegal campaigning, any distribution of campaign material, and that includes sample ballots, is campaigning,” Laudiangco told reporters in a Viber message.

He noted that campaigning is prohibited on the eve of Election Day, May 11, and the Election Day, May 12.

More than 68 million registered voters could now cast their ballots for the midterm polls, which see 18,255 elective local and national posts nationwide.

READ: Malacañang declares election day a holiday

Regular voting is from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women can vote as early as 5:00 a.m.

READ: Early voting for seniors, PWDs, pregnant moms begins

Early voting successful

Meanwhile, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the first two hours of early voting were successful despite reported hiccups.

“In a larger context,  the early voting hours are successful,” Garcia told reporters.

Around 12 million registered senior citizens and more or less 530,000 PWDs nationwide are qualified to vote early, according to Garcia, but the Comelec has yet to release the data on how many availed of early voting.

READ: Elderly senatorial bets vote early during priority hours

Several senatorial candidates who are senior citizens also availed of the opportunity to vote early./mcm