Comelec-Mandaue to reuse 1,008 ballot boxes for BSKE

CEBU, Philippines — In preparation for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), the Commission on Elections – Office of the Election Officer (Comelec-OEO) in Mandaue City and the City Treasurer’s Office have begun opening the yellow ballot boxes.

At least 1,008 ballot boxes from previous elections, including the most recent 2023 BSKE, have been prepared for reuse.

According to Comelec-Mandaue Election Assistant Jacqueline Reuyan, the Department of General Services (DGS) will handle the repainting of the boxes.

Reuyan explained that the 1,008 boxes could still be increased, as there were elections even before the 2023 BSKE.

As instructed by Comelec, the boxes will be repainted and reused.

She added that there are no major issues with the boxes, pointing out that repainting is the only concern.

Reuyan further explained that for every four used boxes from the same barangay, their contents will be consolidated into one ballot box.

“Amo siyang isulod ang tulo or upat sa usa ka box,” said Reuyan.

The emptied boxes will then be reused for the upcoming elections. The consolidated box will be used to store the previous election results.

During yesterday’s opening of the ballot boxes, June 20, members of the media witnessed how the Comelec-Mandaue opened four boxes from Barangay Subangdaku and consolidated its contents into a single ballot box.

The City Treasurer’s Office also participated, as they have full custody of the ballot boxes.

Moreover, Reuyan said that the Comelec-OEO will conduct an inventory to determine whether they need to request additional boxes from the Comelec Central Office.

“Aron ma determine kung magkinahanglan ba ta mo request  balik sa Manila or enough na ang among maggamit,” Reuyan added.

She said that for the upcoming BSKE, precincts will be clustered into three since the election will be done manually, not automated.

With the BSKE 2025 set on December 1, Reuyan said they are already making preparations as instructed by the Comelec—just like yesterday, when the opening of the ballot boxes was one of the scheduled activities.

Reuyan explained that, unlike the automated 2025 National and Local Elections last May 12 where one Automated Counting Machine (ACM) served a cluster of four precincts, in the BSKE, each yellow ballot box will serve one precinct.

During the midterm elections, each clustered precinct covered about 800 to 1,000 voters in Mandaue City. In contrast, for the manual barangay elections, each precinct will serve around 200 voters.

Since the setup involved  three clustered precincts, each polling place will serve approximately 600 voters, Reuyan said.  (CEBU NEWS)