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Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Garcia said Monday that they have already printed 60 percent of the ballots needed for the upcoming 2025 Midterm Elections.

Garcia said COMELEC expects the printing to be done by March 20.

He added that out of the 72 million ballots needed more or less 44 million ballots have been printed.

While manual and automated verification is expected to be completed by April 14.

Garcia said they managed to keep themselves on track despite a series of temporary restraining ordered they faced in relation to the official list of candidates.

Meanwhile, Garcia said he is counting on the local level to go after political candidates putting up campaign materials beyond the designated areas.

The COMELEC has previously conducted “Oplan Baklas” to take down illegal campaign posters and tarpaulins at the start of the 90-day campaign period.

Anyone who fails to follow the order will face charges or be disqualified from running.

In the case of local candidates, whose campaign period will begin on March 28, Garcia said he will leave it to the hands of the local government units.