Election materials for BSKE deployed starting August 1

MANILA, Philippines — Starting Aug. 1, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will start the deployment of election materials to be used in the October barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco over the weekend said election cargoes need to be deployed early to far-flung areas in the country.

He further explained that it would be difficult for the logistics and security forces if a large volume of election cargoes will be distributed all at the same time.

But he stressed that only non-accountable forms and supplies such as envelopes, pens and folders shall be deployed. These cargoes are generally consigned to various offices of the provincial, city and municipal treasurers nationwide.

“Since (these are) non-accountable forms and supplies, the security risks are minimal,” Laudiangco said.

“Ballots and other accountable forms like election returns are not included in the cargoes to be deployed early,” he added.

Laudiangco said the deployment of ballots and other accountable forms require heightened security.

Deployment of vote counting machines, he said, shall be targeted and shall be done starting with the farthest areas.