Comelec says ballots cannot be tampered, even with undervotes | ABS-CBN
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Comelec says ballots cannot be tampered, even with undervotes
Comelec says ballots cannot be tampered, even with undervotes
Marilyn Cahatol,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 11, 2025 12:53 PM PHT
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Comelec personnel test vote counting machines at the Pasong Tamo Elementary School in Quezon City on October 25, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file
Comelec personnel test vote counting machines at the Pasong Tamo Elementary School in Quezon City on October 25, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file MANILA — The Commission on Elections assured voters that no one else could touch their ballot before feeding it to the automated counting machine (ACM).
MANILA — The Commission on Elections assured voters that no one else could touch their ballot before feeding it to the automated counting machine (ACM).
The assurance followed claims that someone else could supposedly fill the empty positions if a voter opts to undervote or choose fewer than the maximum number of candidates.
The assurance followed claims that someone else could supposedly fill the empty positions if a voter opts to undervote or choose fewer than the maximum number of candidates.
“Imposible po iyan dahil tayo pong botante ang magfe-feed ng balota, kumpleto man ‘yan o hindi, doon po sa ACM. Wala pong ibang makakahawak niyan,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told Teleradyo Serbisyo on Friday. .
“Imposible po iyan dahil tayo pong botante ang magfe-feed ng balota, kumpleto man ‘yan o hindi, doon po sa ACM. Wala pong ibang makakahawak niyan,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco told Teleradyo Serbisyo on Friday. .
(That is impossible because the voter will feed the ballot into the ACM, whether it is complete or not. No one else will touch it.)
(That is impossible because the voter will feed the ballot into the ACM, whether it is complete or not. No one else will touch it.)
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While overvoting—or voting for candidates more than the maximum—will invalidate the votes, Laudiangco said undervoting would not.
While overvoting—or voting for candidates more than the maximum—will invalidate the votes, Laudiangco said undervoting would not.
Voters also have the right to abstain—or not fill a position—if they prefer.
Voters also have the right to abstain—or not fill a position—if they prefer.
To ease voters’ anxiety, Laudiangco said voters can verify their votes through the ACM screen, as well as the receipt the machine will release upon submitting their ballots.
To ease voters’ anxiety, Laudiangco said voters can verify their votes through the ACM screen, as well as the receipt the machine will release upon submitting their ballots.
'PREPARE YOUR CHEAT SHEET'
It is best to come on election day ready by preparing a “cheat sheet,” Laudiangco advised.
It is best to come on election day ready by preparing a “cheat sheet,” Laudiangco advised.
He said candidates run as individuals, thus choosing bets from different parties is completely allowed.
He said candidates run as individuals, thus choosing bets from different parties is completely allowed.
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Comelec has uploaded a ballot face template on its website, publicly available and customized per municipality, to help voters prepare their cheat sheet. This includes the candidates’ corresponding numbers up to the local race.
Comelec has uploaded a ballot face template on its website, publicly available and customized per municipality, to help voters prepare their cheat sheet. This includes the candidates’ corresponding numbers up to the local race.
The Comelec spokesperson reminded candidates that distribution of sample ballots is prohibited starting Sunday, May 11, together with other forms of campaigning.
The Comelec spokesperson reminded candidates that distribution of sample ballots is prohibited starting Sunday, May 11, together with other forms of campaigning.
The spokesperson said the commission was ready to combat the spread of mis- and disinformation on the election day through their real-person “keyboard warriors” who will provide immediate information for those with queries.
The spokesperson said the commission was ready to combat the spread of mis- and disinformation on the election day through their real-person “keyboard warriors” who will provide immediate information for those with queries.
On the day of the election, Laudiangco reminded voters that taking a photo inside the voting precincts, especially of the ballots, is prohibited.
On the day of the election, Laudiangco reminded voters that taking a photo inside the voting precincts, especially of the ballots, is prohibited.
The results from all voting processes—local ACM, international ACM, absentee voting and internet voting—will be posted on the website so the public can monitor real-time counting, said the spokesperson.
The results from all voting processes—local ACM, international ACM, absentee voting and internet voting—will be posted on the website so the public can monitor real-time counting, said the spokesperson.
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The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the media will also be releasing unofficial election results.
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) and the media will also be releasing unofficial election results.
This, however, said Laudiangco, should not be confused with the official count.
This, however, said Laudiangco, should not be confused with the official count.
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