Two days before the election day, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) destroyed a total of 930,000 defective and roadshow ballots on Saturday, May 7.
A total of 580,000 defective official ballots and 346,323 roadshow ballots that were used for voter education were destroyed in front of the members of the media at the National Printing Office in Quezon City.
Acting Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said this was to ensure that the ballots that will be given to voters on election day are in perfect condition.
ICYMI: The COMELEC earlier today conducted the destruction of unused and/or defective official ballots, roadshow ballots, and other accountable forms in the presence of media, political parties and other observers.#NLE2022 #BumotoKa #VoteSAFEPilipinas pic.twitter.com/qpz84a90aV
— COMELEC (@COMELEC) May 7, 2022
“The 933,000, yes it might seem… Mataas po siya but then again this is the price of the highest quality control and this is the price of bringing the quality control to all the phases of the elections. Kailangan po kasi perfect yung ibibigay nating balota sa mga tao at hindi po ito makukuha kung magtitipid po tayo,” Laudiangco said.
All destroyed ballots will not be burned but will be recycled instead to avoid harming the environment, according to Laudiangco.
“First, we have to be fully compliant with all environmental laws, bawal na po ‘yung magsunog. Secondly, Comelec aims for sustainability. We have to recycle po, sayang naman po itong materials na ’to, and we assure naman po pag ni-recycle wala na po talaga ‘yan. It’s completely destroyed,” he added. –Report from Rodrigo Lagusad/KC – gb
