The public may now view the ongoing printing of ballots for the 2022 polls at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on March 17 officially set up a 24/7 live stream of the printing which is accessible via their website and Facebook Page.
"The livestream will go on for as long as ballots and other election paraphernalia are being printed. Consider this move our way of communicating to the public that their concerns do not fall on deaf ears, and that the Comelec will take all steps necessary to promote transparency and secure public trust for the elections," Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in a statement on Friday, March 18.
The live feed shows the printing area, packing and shipping area, and quarantine room.
The areas for printing and packing and shipping displays various viewing angles, providing an inside peak at the activities being done as well as persons coming in and out of the areas. The quarantine room is dedicated for rechecking rejected ballots due to various reasons, such as irregular margins, smudges, and other ballot deficiencies.
In addition to the livestreaming, the Comelec said it has also established observation areas in both the NPO and at their warehouse in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
"Subject to minimum public health standards issued by appropriate authorities, the areas are open to interested political parties, citizens' groups and other stakeholders," Jimenez said.