MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said preparations for the May 13 mid-term elections are now 90-percent complete.
“We are still four months out. Ninety percent ready but as you very well know it’s the last 10 percent that takes forever,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in a press briefing at the Pope Pius Center on Saturday.
He said the remaining 10 percent is composed of the printing of the over 60 million ballots and other election forms.
“We have not printed the ballots yet. But you know in terms of the logistics, in terms of the structures, partnerships all of those are falling into place,” he added.
Jimenez also said Saturday’s mock polls in 60 precincts all over the country are proceeding smoothly.
“We are seeing good mix of insights coming from our observers from the ground. Hindi siya nagiging perfect in all cases which is exactly what we want to be because that is what we expect to see on Election Day,” he said.
He added that the mock polls seek to determine and fix possible problems that may arise on the day of the elections.
“Mababa ang turnout sa ibang lugar. Merong ibang lugar, may mga tao hindi nahahanap ang kanilang pangalan sa precinct. We are checking the procedures that we have to deal with those cases. So as far as being an evaluation tool is concerned, maganda ang ating mock election,” he added.
Jimenez also reported that the first area to transmit its election results was Digos City in Davao del Sur at 12:14 p.m., a few minutes after the polling precinct closed at noon.
The area is among the 57 precincts that have closed at noon.
Three areas located in cities of Quezon, Manila and Taguig will close at 6 p.m. since they are simulating the actual 12-hour voting period in the May polls which is 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jimenez said the start of printing of the official ballots is likely to be delayed by a couple of days.
“Merong repairs na ginagawa sa NPO (National Printing Office). So baka maapektuhan ‘yung aming start ng (printing),” he said. (With PNA/PN)
