REPRINTED official ballots intended to replace more than 16,600 defective ballots discovered in Maluso, Basilan are now being transported from Manila to Zamboanga City before being delivered to the affected area, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed.
The urgent action follows the discovery of pre‑shaded ballots distributed across 36 precincts in Maluso, raising serious concerns about electoral integrity ahead of the Bangsamoro elections. The replacement ballots are being rushed to ensure that voting can proceed fairly and on schedule once the new materials arrive.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia disclosed that the poll body is preparing to file electoral sabotage charges against individuals found responsible for tampering with the ballots. He emphasized that the deliberate shading of ballots before they even reach voters constitutes a grave offense that undermines the entire electoral process. Authorities are currently investigating how the irregularities occurred and who may be behind the tampering, with the full weight of the law set to fall on those identified as accountable.
Under Republic Act No. 9369, electoral sabotage is classified as a special election offense carrying a penalty of life imprisonment. The severity of the prescribed punishment reflects the seriousness of the crime, which directly strikes at the foundation of democratic governance. As the replacement ballots make their way to Basilan, the Comelec has assured the public that it will leave no stone unturned in identifying and prosecuting those responsible, sending a clear message that attempts to manipulate the electoral process will face the harshest possible consequences.
metrosundaily
