Comelec to verify claims of errors in overseas voting receipts

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 19) – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner George Garcia on Tuesday said the poll body will verify claims on social media that some voting receipts issued to overseas Filipino voters were inaccurate.

During a live stream interview of Garcia on CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon, a couple of netizens cited reports that the voting receipts of some migrant workers did not contain the names of the candidates they chose.

“Alamin natin kung ano ang katotohanan ng inyong binanggit at kung ‘yan ay na-record,” Garcia said. “Ika-counter check natin, ive-verify natin ano ang kadahilanan, kung sadya."

[Translation: We will find out the truth and if the complaints were recorded. We will countercheck and verify the reason behind this, if it’s intentional.]

At least two videos uploaded on Facebook over the past week showed some overseas Filipino workers alleging that their votes for presidential bet Bongbong Marcos did not reflect in the receipt issued by the vote-counting machine. These clips, which have racked up thousands of views, were posted by a page which also appears to support the former senator.

Last week, a voter from Singapore complained that her ballot already had the names of vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and other senatorial bets shaded. According to Garcia, the embassy in Singapore noted this was a case of "human error" since a "spoiled ballot" was given to that particular voter.

Meanwhile, the commissioner said a similar claim of being handed a pre-shaded ballot in Dubai was found to be "fake news" after verification.