The Comelec is prepared for the conduct of the October 30 barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections (BSKE) with a budget allocation of P8.44 billion.
In yesterday’s hearing by the Senate Commitee on Electoral Reforms chaired by Sen. Imee Marcos, Comelec chairman George Garcia said 86.59 percent of the ballots for regular voters have been printed and 90.62 percent were printed for SK elections.
He expected the printing of ballots for the BSKE would be finished by February.
The BSKE was initally set last December, but was moved to October 2023.
While they will use their savings and other funds for the conduct of said elections, Garcia also said they can ask additional funds from Congress.
However, this will depend on the results of the registration of 1.6 million voters December 2022 until January 2023.
Based on this, Garcia said they will identify if there is a need to add polling precincts which means additional funding.
Garcia also assured they will not help from the local government units which is prohibited by law. They can ask funds only during plebiscite.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo noted there was no need for the poll body to seek assistance from LGUs to avoid influencing the elections results.