The Commission on Elections on Thursday reminded the public that their shaded votes at the back of the official ballot for the May 9 elections would not affect those on the reverse side of the document.
Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo was responding to a post circulating on social media that if a voter shades the oval of the party-list that is directly opposite the oval of the national or local candidate on the front face of the ballot, the vote for that candidate will not be read by the vote counting machine.
READ: How to Vote on May 9: Here's a Step-by-Step Guide
"Totoong fake news yan. Kasi kapag tinignan mo yung balota, yung bilog sa likod hindi naman siya tatama sa bilog din sa kabila. So magkahiwalay yan," Casquejo told reporters in a press conference.
"If you try to look at the sample ballots din namin, talagang hindi tatama. Kasi by dulo yan. Hindi naka-point sa bilog. So that is fake news," he added.
The alleged loophole in the ballot was supposedly discovered after a vote counting machine testing by a presidential candidate's campaign team.
Comelec Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said they have not received any formal complaint regarding the alleged anomaly.
"Kung talagang totoo yun, malamang meron nang na-file sa amin kaagad coming from that particular office of the particular campaign manager of that particular presidential candidate. Pero as of today, wala kaming natatanggap," he added.
The Comelec will provide the pen to be used in marking the ballot for the May 9 elections. Voters are also advised to fully shade the oval before the name of the candidate of their choice, and not put unnecessary marks on the ballot.
NEWS YOU CAN USE:
Elections 2022: Everything You Need to Know About Voting on May 9
GUIDE: How to Vote if You are Pregnant, Senior Citizen or PWD
Yes, You Can Bring Your Phone When You Vote on May 9
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