The commission has ordered the stoppage of all printers for the time being.
On Tuesday, January 14, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) suspended the printing of all ballots for the 2025 midterm elections.
This, as they complied with the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Supreme Court (SC) in connection to the different cases filed by five personalities, who were disqualified by the commission.
In its statement, the COMELECR said that it has since ordered the “immediate cessation of printing of official ballots and all attendant activities thereto at the National Printing Office (NPO).”
The NPO had begun printing the official ballots last January 6.
The commission will also be amending the candidates’ database, generate 1,667 ballot face templates, and conduct a study on whether it will be needing to update the election management system (EMS), among others.
Last Sunday, January 12, the election period had already begun, with the nationwide gun ban having been implemented, and will last until June 11, 2025.
The upcoming midterm elections will happen on May 12, with 68 million voters around the archipelago set to elect new officials in the Senate down to their municipal or city council members.