**Manila, Intramuros** – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has announced its full adherence to the Supreme Court's issuance of Temporary Restraining Orders (TROs) concerning cases of local candidates for the upcoming May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections. This move underscores the commission's commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process, amidst the challenges posed by legal disputes.
The TROs pertain to three specific cases:
1. Marie Grace R. David v. Commission on Elections (GR No. 277720)
2. Mary Dominique A. Onate v. COMELEC and Myra Georgina L. Arevalo (GR No. 277698)
3. Aldrin B. Sta. Ana v. COMELEC and Arturo P. Mendoza, Jr. (GR No. 277731)
In response, COMELEC has taken immediate action by halting the printing of ballots, conducting an inventory, and disposing of six million already printed ballots, alongside amending the candidates' database as required by these TROs.
The timing of these orders aligns with COMELEC's current efforts to implement necessary changes in various election systems such as the Election Management System (EMS), Automated Election System (AES), Consolidated Canvassing System (CCS), and Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS). These adjustments are crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
As part of its contingency measures, COMELEC has scheduled the Trusted Build of the AES for Monday, January 20, 2025, at Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila. This will be followed by the generation of new ballot face templates and their subsequent serialization on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the COMELEC Warehouse in Binan, Laguna.
These steps are indicative of COMELEC's proactive approach to mitigating any impact on election preparations due to these legal challenges. The commission is eager to resume ballot production promptly to make up for lost time and ensure that election materials are ready well in advance of Election Day.
COMELEC's assurance to the Filipino people is clear: despite these unforeseen hurdles, it remains fully capable of managing and overcoming these issues without compromising the smooth conduct of the forthcoming elections.
The commission's swift compliance with the Supreme Court's directives reflects its dedication to upholding electoral laws and regulations while ensuring that all logistical and technical aspects of election management are effectively addressed.
As we move closer to May 12, 2025, COMELEC's actions today will play a pivotal role in reinforcing public confidence in the electoral process — a cornerstone of democratic governance in the Philippines.
---
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento