MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is moving forward with preparations for two important electoral exercises in November, as ballot printing resumes for the special congressional election in Batanes and the plebiscite on Naga City’s proposed conversion into a highly urbanized city.
The ballot-printing activity is scheduled to take place at the National Printing Office (NPO) in Quezon City, following a delay caused by adjustments to the required ballot quantity for Naga City and the pending printing-cost quotation for Batanes.
The development marks another step toward ensuring that voters in both areas can participate in the scheduled electoral exercises.
Why Was Ballot Printing Delayed?
COMELEC initially planned to begin printing the official ballots on October 14, 2026. However, the poll body postponed the activity while addressing two separate concerns.
For the Naga City plebiscite, the commission’s Allocation Committee recommended revising the number of ballots to be printed. For Batanes, the National Printing Office had yet to submit the necessary cost quotation, leaving the unit cost basis unresolved.
COMELEC subsequently announced a revised schedule, with ballot printing set to begin on October 19.
The adjustments highlight the logistical and administrative requirements involved in preparing election materials, including determining ballot quantities and confirming printing costs. The delay was attributed to these preparations, not to a reported cancellation of either electoral exercise.
Naga City Voters to Decide on Highly Urbanized City Status
Naga City residents in Camarines Sur are scheduled to vote in a plebiscite on November 21, 2026, to determine whether to ratify the city’s conversion into a highly urbanized city (HUC).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 1267 on May 26, 2026, declaring Naga City a highly urbanized city after it met the prescribed population and income requirements.
However, the conversion still requires ratification by qualified voters through a plebiscite before it can take effect.
The vote is therefore significant because it will determine whether the proposed change in the city’s status receives the necessary approval from its electorate.
A highly urbanized city has a distinct administrative status under Philippine law. Its conversion can affect its relationship with the provincial government and its local governance arrangements, making voter participation and public understanding of the proposal important.
Batanes to Elect New Representative
Meanwhile, voters in Batanes will elect a new representative for the province’s lone congressional district on November 28, 2026.
The special election was called following the death of incumbent Representative Ciriaco Gato Jr. on September 21, 2026, which left the seat vacant.
The election will give qualified voters the opportunity to choose the official who will represent the province in the House of Representatives.
The outcome will be important for Batanes, an island province whose residents rely on their elected representative to raise local concerns, participate in national lawmaking and advocate for public services and development priorities.
Transparency and Election Preparations
The ballot-printing process is a key part of election preparations because official ballots must be produced in the appropriate quantities and handled under established safeguards.
COMELEC’s coordination with the National Printing Office is intended to support the production of official ballots for both electoral exercises.
The commission has also invited accredited citizens’ arms, stakeholders and members of the media to observe the printing activity as part of its transparency efforts. Reports indicate that the activity is to be livestreamed through COMELEC’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
Public observation can help strengthen confidence in the process by allowing stakeholders to monitor an important stage of election preparation.
What Happens Next?
With ballot printing scheduled to proceed, attention now turns to the remaining preparations for the November votes.
For Naga City, the central question is whether voters will ratify its proposed conversion into a highly urbanized city. For Batanes, the focus will be on the contest to fill the province’s vacant congressional seat.
The two exercises involve different decisions, but both underscore the role of voters in shaping local representation and governance.
As the dates approach, voters should follow official COMELEC announcements for verified information about voting procedures, polling places and other election-related instructions.
