Ballot printing on; Comelec partially terminates contract with Miru

As the printing of about 73 million official ballots for the May 2025 midterm polls began yesterday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) terminated part of its contract with technology provider Miru Systems.

- By MAYEN JAYMALIN

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body opted for partial termination of the contract with Miru Systems to allow the National Printing Office (NPO) to take over half of the task of ballot printing. "We're still pushing through with our contract (with Miru Systems), but they're supposed to be printing all of the ballots. If that's the case, then we cannot ensure they will finish printing by our set deadline of April 14," Garcia explained in Filipino.

The Comelec chief said the printing of ballots for the 18 regions nationwide was divided between Miru Systems and the NPO.

The NPO will print over 35 million ballots for the Davao region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Mimaropa, Caraga, Soccsksargen and BARMM.

Over 36 million ballots for the Metro Manila, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol shall be printed by Miru.

Miru project managing director Andrew Shim said they support the Comelec’s decision.