Comelec commissioner open to reformat ballots for 2022 elections
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 16) — A Commission on Elections (Comelec) comissioner is open to the suggestion of poll watchdog National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) for a chronological listing of candidates in ballots instead of alphabetically by surname.
"Kung ako boboto sa commission en banc, pabor ako diyan pero kailangan po siyempre ay sumulat sila nang pormal," Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said during a virtual briefing on Thursday.
[Translation: If I vote for the commission en banc, I am in favor of that, but, of course, they must write to make the proposal formal.]
In a briefing late August, the Namfrel bared its proposal, urging the poll body to stop listing the names of candidates in alphabetical order.
Under its proposal, Namfrel said candidates should be assigned numbers by drawing lots, just like the method adopted for party-list groups in 2019.
READ: Poll watchdog wants random order for list of candidates' names in 2022 ballots
The group added that this will also be easier for voters, especially for those who cannot read, and will level the playing field among surnames.
Numbering will be continuous for the entire ballot, which Namfrel said should be a hint for voters to check the back page for party-list nominees.
On Wednesday, Comelec said national candidates will have to file their certificates of candidacy at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City from Oct. 1 to 8.
RELATED: Candidates for national posts to file COCs at Sofitel tent – Comelec
CNN Philippines correspondent Melissa Luz Lopez contributed to this report.
