MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially began the printing of ballots for the upcoming 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) on Monday, January 6, at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City.
The three-month printing process is expected to end on April 14, 2025.
In a marked shift from previous election cycles, the 2025 “MakaBAGOng Halalan” (modern election) campaign begins the ballot printing earlier than ever before.
The traditional start of printing, typically around the end of January or early February, was moved to January 6, an initiative recognized by Printing Committee Vice Chairman Helen Aguila-Flores.
She commended the proactive leadership, noting that this early start is a first for the commission.
The start of the ballot printing at the NPO office featured a detailed walkthrough of the entire ballot printing process.
Printing will not only cover the official ballots for precincts in the Philippines, but also extend to ballots for overseas voters, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and local absentee voting. These ballots are being printed alongside test ballots, ensuring that each category meets the necessary standards.
Last October, Miru Systems, in collaboration with Comelec, turned over two state-of-the-art HP PageWide Advantage 2200 machines to the NPO as part of their joint memorandum agreement.
Andrew Shim, managing director of Miru Project, expressed his company’s commitment to maintaining the highest levels of security and accuracy throughout the printing process.
Each machine, valued at around P350 million, is equipped with an automated in-line system that spans 22 meters. The system enables the machines to print at a speed of 540 feet per minute, with the capacity to produce 950,000 ballots in a single day.
The new printing technology allows for much smoother verification processes, as the paper rolls fed into the machines are cut and stacked for each precinct. This advancement not only increases efficiency but also improves transparency, ensuring the accuracy of every printed ballot.
The Comelec introduced a new, thinner ballot paper ranging from 95 to 100 GSM, which is more cost-effective and easier to source without sacrificing print clarity. The official ballot templates, totaling 1,006, will serve as the base for all ballot printing, guaranteeing uniformity across all election categories.
NPO Director Revsee Escobedo described the ballots as “not just paper” but the embodiment of the Filipino people’s voice. He assured the public that stringent measures are in place to ensure the accuracy of each ballot, reinforcing the credibility of the election process.
In an effort to increase transparency, the entire printing process will be live-streamed daily. Volunteers from various election stakeholders will also monitor the operations, providing oversight to further bolster public trust.
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