9 precincts in Negros Oriental up for random manual count
The boxes containing the official ballots from nine clustered precincts in Negros Oriental that were selected for the random manual audit of the Commission on Elections will be shipped to Manila on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Three clustered precincts each from Bayawan City, Bais City, and Guihulngan City were determined through a raffle. — Photo from Philippine News Agency
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) chose nine clustered precincts in Negros Oriental for a random manual audit of ballots cast in the May 12 national and local elections.
The random manual audit will determine the accuracy of the results of the automated polls, which the law requires to be 99.97 percent accurate.
Lawyer Eddie Aba, Comelec-Negros Oriental provincial election supervisor, said on Friday that the boxes containing the ballots and other election documents will be shipped to Manila on Saturday.
The boxes were delivered to the Comelec provincial office and were all accounted for.
The Comelec selected three clustered precincts from Bais City, Guihulngan City and Bayawan City through a raffle.
Comelec-Negros Island Region Director Lionel Marco Castillano said the random manual audit will not change the results of the local election, debunking perceived irregularities.
“Since we started automation of the elections in 2010, we have met that percentage,” he said in an interview.
Castillano said those who are questioning the results of the local elections in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental may file election protests with the regional trial courts. /das
