Highlighted ballot papers are fake according to Comelec.
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) denied their involvement in the ballot papers with the names of Liberal Party bet Mar Roxas and his running mate Leni Robredo allegedly highlighted with yellow. This was after the photos of ballot paper went viral on the social media.
COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez took the micro-blogging site Twitter to address the issue. He said that he does not know where the highlighted ballots came from, but he is sure that it was not from COMELEC.
“I don’t know where that highlighted ballot came from. Not from COMELEC, for sure. No proof of authenticity. Could be a digital fake,” he wrote.
In an interview with Manila Bulletin, James Jimenez also said that the COMELEC does not produce ballot papers with highlighted names, adding that official ballots will be only distributed by Board of Inspectors or delivered to overseas voters.
Jimenez also said that it is expected that the candidates would highlight their names when giving sample ballots to their voters. Some would capitalize their names or underscore them.
“These are sample ballots…mock-up, fake…it didnt come from Comelec,” he further added.
Voters are also warned to check the authenticity of information before jumping into conclusions as it may cause alarm to other people.
Meanwhile, the COMELEC has already finished printing the 56.7 million official ballot papers that will be used in the May 9 elections.
This has been circulated in one form or another since before today. Looks like a sample ballot to me. #PiliPinas pic.twitter.com/maMihhXr4v
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) April 9, 2016
I don’t know where that highlighted ballot came from. Not from @COMELEC, for sure. No proof of authenticity. Could be a digital fake.
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) April 9, 2016