700,000 ballots arrive in Cebu City; final poll preparations on track

A total of 700,000 ballots were delivered at the Cebu City Hall on Monday, May 6, 2019, a week before the May 13 elections. | CDND Photo / Gerard Francisco

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The final leg of preparations are definitely underway for the May 13, 2019 elections as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) delivered a total of 700,000 ballots to the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office (CCTO) on Monday, May 6, 2019.

One week before the May 13 midterm elections, lawyer Marchel Sarno, election officer of Comelec South District, said security measures are in place including deploying personnel from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to guard the Cebu City Hall and the CCTO.

Sarno said there is a strict rule to only open the ballots on election day.

Sarno said Comelec has a contingency plan to address any issues in relation to the ballots.

He said they are on the final leg of conducting briefings for personnel from the Department of Education (DepEd0, who will be instrumental in the conduct of the elections in each cluster precincts.

Cebu City Treasurer Arlene Rentuza said her office has allocated a specific area for the safekeeping of the ballots.

Rentuza said CCTO will be distributing the ballots to different cluster precincts around the city starting on the evening of May 12 until the morning of May 13, election day.

Rentuza said there are 800 cluster precincts all over Cebu City.

Sarno said Comelec is now focusing on delivering the various election paraphernalia, which brings their readiness for the midterm elections at 90 percent.

A week to go before the midterm elections and Sarno said the remaining 10% is dedicated for the coordination of people involved. / celr