The discovery of pre-shaded ballots in 36 polling precincts of Maluso, Basilan, has prompted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to take decisive action. Following the alarming find, the town was placed under Comelec control.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia confirmed that the National Printing Office has been authorized to reprint the compromised ballots. These will be swiftly transported to Zamboanga City before being sent to Basilan.
Garcia reassured voters that despite the potential delays in voting, measures are in place to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Electoral Sabotage: A Serious Offense
Garcia stated that the pre-shading of 16,563 official ballots could lead to electoral sabotage charges. This is a serious offense, especially since it involves more than 10,000 votes.
That is an election offense. At the same time, we will look into the possibility of it being an electoral sabotage case as well.
George Garcia, Comelec Chairman
Electoral sabotage is classified as a special election offense and carries a severe penalty of life imprisonment. In contrast, lesser election offenses could result in one to six years of imprisonment, disqualification from public office, and loss of voting rights.
Garcia expressed frustration over the incident, emphasizing the importance of accountability. He vowed that those responsible will face consequences, regardless of their status.
Historical Context and Implications
This incident comes during the historic Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, a crucial step in the political evolution of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Such electoral disruptions raise concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the potential impact on local governance.