The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reset the start of the printing of the official ballots for the May 9, 2022, national and local elections on Thursday due to various technical factors.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the start of the printing has been rescheduled from Wednesday to Thursday.

“The printing committee, taking into consideration various technical factors, has moved the start of printing to a date yet to be announced,” he said in a statement. “Tentative start of ballot printing is tomorrow, January 20, 2022.”

He made assurances that the rescheduling won’t affect the preparations for this year’s polls.

“The committee assures the public that this later start will not negatively impact the Comelec’s preparations for the elections,” he said.

Jimenez also said, “the ballot faces will be released as soon as the finalization process has been completed”.

A total of 67,442,714 ballots will be printed to be used in the May elections.

The total number of ballots to be printed for local voting is 65,745,512 while 1,697,202 for overseas voting. (PNA)