By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The proclamation of winners in Antique’s provincial and congressional races has been postponed to May 14 due to a ballot shortage in the island municipality of Caluya that disrupted the transmission of votes.
The shortage occurred in Barangay Imba’s clustered precinct 0014, where only 421 of 938 registered voters were able to cast their ballots before supplies ran out.
Commission on Elections Region 6 Director Dennis Ausan said the issue was reported late in the afternoon on election day, delaying remedial action.
Reprinted ballots from the National Printing Office in Quezon City arrived in Caluya by Tuesday noon.
Ausan said voting for the remaining 517 voters was extended and was expected to conclude by 7 p.m. Tuesday.
“Based on the guidelines given by the commission, the voting will continue to accommodate the remaining registered voters,” he said.
“We are hoping that immediately after that, there will be no problems anymore, they can transmit the results, and the Provincial Board of Canvassers can finish the election in Antique,” he added.
Ausan earlier stressed the incident does not qualify as a failure of elections, as voting started on time and was only interrupted due to a supply issue, similar to precincts that experience technical malfunctions.
The delay in vote transmission will affect the proclamation of winners for governor, vice governor, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and congressional and local positions.
Paolo Javier is leading the gubernatorial race, while former Caluya Mayor Genevive Reyes is ahead in the vice gubernatorial contest.
In the congressional race, incumbent Lone District Rep. AA Legarda is currently outpacing Gov. Rhodora Cadiao.
