THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said it will closely monitor the presence and distribution of sample ballots ahead of the May 12 national and local polls.
In a statement, the Comelec said all field officials and personnel have been given directives to make sure that all sample ballots are compliant with existing laws and rules, and not cause confusion to voters.
“While sample ballots are recognized by existing laws, legislation requires that such be clearly, boldly and distinctly marked as ‘sample ballots’, with substantial deviation from the official ballots for clear distinction by all recipients,” it said.
“Given this, chairman George Garcia issued a general call for all Comelec field officials and employees to ensure that all sample ballots adhere to laws,” it said.
The poll body also said all private commercial printing entities/companies must cease and desist from printing and producing sample ballots, which mimics the image, appearance, color and style of the Comelec’s official ballot.
“All private commercial printing entities/companies, including their client candidates, political parties, and coalition of political parties and its supporters, must be compliant of these legal requirements, or otherwise face criminal and administrative consequence,” it said.
“Such markings and distinctions are required to avoid confusion, and ensure the delineation of its purpose as a mere guide and not for actual voting,” it added.
The Comelec made the statement after getting reports of private commercial printing entities printing and producing sample ballots which look like the official ballot to be used on May 12.
In a related development, the Comelec yesterday disowned the presence of merchandise that bear the theme of the forthcoming national and local elections.
The poll body said it has not authorized the marketing and selling of election-themed wearable products and merchandise currently being sold online.
“The public is hereby warned that these are all unofficial and bears no connection to the Commission on Elections, its officials and personnel, and are misappropriated without permission and authority,” it said.
“Being unofficial, any user of said wearables and bearer of such merchandise, more so the marketing, promotion, and selling, are unsanctioned and unauthorized, especially if being purported to be with official indorsement by Comelec,” it also said.
Among the products referred to by the Comelec are those with taglines “MakaBAGOng Halalan,” “MakaBAGOng Halalan para sa MakaBAGOng Pilipino,” “2025 BAGO,” “Better Automation Governance and Opportunities,” “ACIE, the ACM Mascot,” and the seal “Certified Transparent, Accurate, Accountable and Inclusive.”
