The Commission on Elections (Comelec) bared that South Korean firm Miru Systems formally turned over two new printing machines that will be used in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections and BARMM parliamentary elections to the Comelec and the National Printing Office (NPO).
Comelec chief George Erwin Garcia on Saturday said that this marks the first time in history that the HP printing machines will be utilized for a government agency.
Garcia, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said the poll regulator is “happy” with the state-of-the-art equipment. He said the machines are “improved versions” of previous equipment used by the Comelec.
For the next two months, the poll regulator reported that it is targeting to accomplish printing at least 70 million ballots in preparation for the elections.
Members of the media, interest groups, and citizens are permitted to observe the printing activities.
“We will never leave any day without any observer or anyone watching para maiwasan ‘yung mga ibang issue na katulad ng nangyari dati,” Garcia, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said.
The Comelec also announced that no excess ballots will be printed to eliminate any potential doubts regarding the integrity of the elections.
Garcia explained that a 1:1 ratio will ensure that voters will “take care” of the ballots.
The Comelec noted that, on average, voter turnout for national and local elections is only 65-70%. However, for national elections that include presidential and vice-presidential races, turnout increases to 80-83%.
The unused and rejected ballots will be properly accounted for.
Garcia also emphasized that the machine is ballot-specific, meaning that ballots from one precinct cannot be used in other precincts.
They assured that all printed ballots will undergo machine verification to ensure they meet the required standards.
