Comelec delivers 978,643 ballots to Negros Oriental this Friday

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that official ballots for the May 12 national and local elections in Negros Oriental will arrive this Friday.

Director Lionel Marco Castillano of Comelec-Negros Island Region stated that 978,643 official ballots will be temporarily stored in Dumaguete City before being distributed to provincial, city, and municipal offices.

Unlike previous elections, the Comelec does not allocate extra ballots for replacements, as voter turnout is typically around 80 percent.

Lawyer Eddie Aba, Comelec-Negros Oriental election supervisor, said that official ballots will be transported to remote areas at least one day before the polls to ensure voting starts on time and is not disrupted.

The ballots will be escorted by police and military personnel during transport due to early voting from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities.

Comelec cited weather forecasts of heavy rainfall in May as another reason for the early deployment of ballots.