Comelec: Charter change plebiscite unlikely in 2019 polls
MANILA, Philippines — It is no longer possible to include the plebiscite on the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution in the May 2019 midterm polls.
According to Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez, there is no more time to prepare for the holding of the plebiscite simultaneously with next year’s elections.
Jimenez said “all of the factors are actually pointing to a negative possibility there.”
“It is already unlikely to happen even if they push it,” he maintained.
There were recommendations to include the plebiscite in the coming polls to save government resources and manpower.
In January next year, the Comelec will start printing the official ballots for some 61 million registered voters.
“We are this close to finalizing the ballot design and, at this point, there is not even a completed set of amendments or revisions that can be considered,” he added.
Jimenez said plebiscites require at least six months of preparation to educate votes on the issues that are at stake.
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