The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said voters for the upcoming 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) set on December 1 will be allowed to make erasures on their ballots.
Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia said the decision aimed to facilitate a smoother voting process and ensure that voters can accurately express their choices.
“This new policy is expected to help reduce confusion and errors during the election, ultimately contributing to a more efficient electoral experience for all participants,” he said.
The Comelec chief also said they decided to omit the specific date of the election forms to be used, including statements of votes, election returns, and minutes of voting.
The decision was made since there is no signed law yet that will postpone the BSKE.
“We may run out of time in our preparations if the expected postponement of the BSKE does not happen. In case we don’t push through this Dec. 1, at least we can still use these forms and not get wasted,” he added.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a recent briefing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has yet to receive the enrolled bill on the proposed reset of the 2025 BSKE and extension of the barangay officials’ terms.
Meanwhile, Garcia said erasures would be allowed because even when the voters erase their votes, it’s called “desistance.”
Garcia clarified that anything a voter marks on their ballot will be referred to as “intent,” reflecting their desire to support that specific candidate.
In the manual elections, we will provide an additional three ballots in each precinct, as numerous voters may have made erasures while writing the names of the candidates they intend to vote for.
The Comelec said the upcoming 2025 BSKE will be done manually as opposed to the automated elections normally exercised during presidential and midterm elections for both local and national candidates.
