Two days before the national elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) started destroying defective and testing ballots on Saturday, May 7.
The total number of ballots to be destroyed are 933,311. This figure includes 586,988 defective official ballots and 346,323 roadshow ballots.
Newly-appointed Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said they are expecting to finish the whole process after three days.
"It will go on daily, eight hours for three days...Doon po sa gustong mag witness, we invite you...Bibigyan po namin kayo ng time and space dito sa NPO (National Printing Office) (For those who want to witness the activity, we invite you... We will give you time and space here at the NPO),” said Laudiangco.
A ballot is considered defective if it contains smudges, wrong cuts, and other printing errors.
Meanwhile, roadshow ballots are testing or sample ballots which were used by the poll body during the conduct of its voter education activities.
These ballots were destroyed using machine-cutting at the National Printing Office in Quezon City. Comelec Commissioner George Garcia and Laudiangco led the activity.
The activity was observed by members of the media, political parties, and other observers.
Meanwhile, Laudiangco said ballots that will be unused on election day will also be destroyed.
“Lahat po ng unused ballots will be torn in half by all EBs [electoral board) po (All unused ballots will be torn in half by the EBs). These are stated in the general instructions for Electoral Boards. Both halves will be placed in separate envelopes,” he said.