Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Supreme Court (SC) sees no reason why voters should be denied the opportunity to read the voters’ receipt after casting their ballots.
In a unanimous decision announced on Tuesday (March 8), the justices argued the availability of all the voters’ receipts would make random manual audits more accurate.
They noted there’s no legal prohibition for Comelec to require voters to read and verify the receipt.
Then the voter will leave it in a separate box — and not take it out of the precinct.
Related: Comelec to comply but dismayed over SC order to print ballot receipts
The high court ruled Comelec’s inaction in using the voter verification paper audit trail (VVPAT) failed to satisfy the Automated Election System Law.
On the poll body’s fear that voters’ receipt might be used for vote-buying and vote-selling, the court said this could be prevented “by placing proper procedures.”
Related: Comelec to file motion for reconsideration on SC’s voter’s receipt order
The justices reiterated Comelec had the power to choose the appropriate procedure to enforce the VVPAT requirement.
But they added that securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot must be considered.
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
