Comelec begins ballot deployment in Metro Manila

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has begun the two-day deployment of 7.5 million official ballots for the May 12 midterm elections in Metro Manila.

Ballots for Caloocan, Marikina, Pasig, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Malabon, Navotas, and San Juan were distributed on Tuesday, with deliveries for Muntinlupa, Pateros, Taguig, Manila, Makati, Pasay, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, and Parañaque scheduled for Wednesday.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia explained that the ballots will be delivered to the Office of the Treasurer in each area before being distributed to precincts on May 11 or early on election day.

Ballots for other regions have already been delivered ahead of schedule, and the distribution nationwide started as early as April 22.

Political parties, candidates, and citizens' organizations are invited to send representatives to monitor the ballot shipment, which is accompanied by personnel from the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines for security.

The Comelec is also investigating an incident in Santa Cruz, Laguna, where individuals were apprehended for allegedly attempting to inspect automated counting machines.