THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Cordillera assured correct and proper deployment of election paraphernalia in a bid to prevent lapses experienced in the 2016 elections.

During the Regional Joint Security Control Center Coordinating Conference, Comelec Assistant Regional Director Vanessa Roncal gave the assurance after a reassessment on measures to be done for the May midterm elections.

“That was unfortunate but this time, we now have closer coordination with our Comelec main office packaging and shipping division. We have made new programs and ways on how to send us these ballots so as not to have a repeat of that incident,” she said.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-Cordillera Director Israel Dickson reiterated the Philippine National Police's role for the upcoming polls, which is centered in providing security for election Officials, including the materials to be used in the upcoming elections.

“What was discussed in our conference was on preparations wherein Comelec have laid down the calendar of activities which we will be providing security packages like for the arrival of the VCMs, election paraphernalia, the travel of the forwarding company or F2 logistics, and the security to be provided to the electoral supervisors and others which will provide electoral duties,” said Roncal.

“As to the deployment of the VCMs (vote counting machines), which we will use, we now know the schedules and all we have to do is deploy people for the arrival of the VCMs, the ballots, and other election paraphernalia to be used,” she added.