Ballot printing for BARMM polls starts in August

MANILA, Philippines — Printing of ballots to be used for the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will start in August, according to the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay said from 2.3 million to 2.5 million ballots would be printed for the Bangsamoro election in October.

Bulay said the ballots to be printed would include those to be used in the “road show” and training.

Ray Sumalipao, chief of the Comelec-BARMM, said the poll body may ask personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to serve as members of the Special Electoral Board to ensure that the election will push through.

In preparation for the BARMM polls, Sumalipao said the Comelec would conduct the first coordinating conference on June 25, which will involve all stakeholders.

Sumalipao said the poll body is looking into the status of municipalities placed under Comelec control during the May 12 elections.

He said a regional committee on Kontra Bigay would be established to prevent vote buying.