Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia announced that the Commission will no longer remove the names of candidates who withdraw from the May 2025 elections from the printed ballots. Garcia explained that once ballot printing begins, any withdrawals will result in those votes being declared 'stray'. He cited the logistical challenges of resetting the printing process and the potential for delays. Garcia also stated that the Comelec would comply with any Supreme Court orders regarding the inclusion of candidates' names on the ballot, but noted that previous instances of defying TROs resulted in contempt citations.
Dhel NazarioCommission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia said on Friday, January 24 that it would no longer remove poll aspirants' names even if they would withdraw their candidacy for the May 2025 national and local elections.
"Kapag nag-iimprenta na kami ng balota at may mag-wiwithdraw pa, hindi na po namin matatanggal yung mga pangalan po nila idedeklara na lang naming 'stray' yung lahat po ng boto sa kanila ," he said. Asked what the poll body would do in case the Supreme Court issues another Temporary Restraining Order to include a poll aspirant's name in the ballot, Garcia refused to comment on this.
But Garcia mentioned that there have been instances during the elections in 2016, 2019, and 2022 wherein the poll body defied the TROs issued by the SC and this led to the Comelec being cited in contempt. Yet the poll chief also hopes that the situation no longer reaches this point.
ELECTIONS WITHDRAWAL BALLOTS SUPREME COURT COMELEC
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