Comelec starts ballot printing for Cavite special polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) started printing yesterday the ballots for the special elections in the seventh district of Cavite on Feb. 25.

Comelec deputy executive director Rafael Olaño said the poll body would print 355,184 ballots to be distributed in Amadeo, Indang, Tanza and Trece Martires City.

Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the ballots would be verified, quarantined, released and packed along with other supplies and equipment before delivery on Feb. 15.

The special elections will fill the congressional seat left vacant with the appointment of Jesus Crispin Remulla as secretary of the Department of Justice.

Remulla’s son Crispin Diego of the National Unity Party filed his certificate of candidacy along with independent candidates Jose Angelito Domingo Aguinaldo, Melencio Loyola de Sagun Jr. and Michael Angelo Bautista Santos.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body did not receive any disqualification case against any of the candidates.  – Robertzon Ramirez

“Final na yan,” Garcia said when asked if the names on the ballots printed are the final candidates for the Cavite special election.

A budget of P36 million was alloted for the special elections, including the honoraria of the teachers who will serve in the electoral process.

Garcia said the Comelec would deploy 852 vote-counting machines, which include the spare units in case of an emergency, during the elections.