Spoiled, unused ballots to be torn, says Comelec


The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, May 10, said spoiled and unused ballots will be torn in accordance with the poll body’s guidelines.

Workers check the printed official ballots to be used for the upcoming 2022 National and Local Elections at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City (MARK BALMORES / MANILA BULLETIN)

Poll Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo said electoral boards can’t just tear the unused ballots.

“According to our procedure, unused ballots will be torn in half tapos ilalagay dun sa (then it will be placed on the) rejected ballots and it will be stored in the ballot box,” said the poll commissioner during a media briefing.

He said procedures in discarding unused ballots must be followed by election personnel.

When asked about the total number of spoiled ballots during the 2022 polls, Casquejo said spoiled ballots are not being counted by the Comelec.