RESOLUTION No. 6117

      Art. 29. Printing of ballots and other election forms. - The Commission shall, through the Committee on Printing of the Commission, cause the printing of ballots for the overseas absentee voters, voting instructions, and election forms. Security markings shall be used in the printing of ballots and the quantity of the ballots to be printed shall be based on the total number of approved applications to vote in absentia.

      Art. 30. Transmittal of ballots and other election forms. - The Commission through the Committee shall, not later than eighty-five (85) days before election day, present to the authorized representatives of the DFA and the accredited major political parties the exact number of ballots for overseas absentee voters corresponding to the number of approved applications to vote in absentia, voting instructions, election forms and other election paraphernalia for scrutiny and inspection, and, within the same period, transmit them by special pouch, through the DFA, to the embassies, consulates and other foreign service establishments concerned.

      The accredited major political parties, citizens' arms and accredited Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) organizations shall be entitled to one representative/watcher at any given time in all phases of printing, transmittal and casting of ballots abroad.

      Art. 31. Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group. - A Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (the "SBRCG") is hereby created in every Philippine embassy, consulate or foreign service establishment.

      The SBRCG shall be composed of three (3) members from among the staff of the embassies, consulates and foreign service establishments concerned, including their attached agencies, and citizens of the Philippines abroad who will be deputized by the Commission to receive and take custody of all accountable and non-accountable election forms, supplies and paraphernalia sent by it through the Committee.

      The members of the SBRCG or their spouses shall not be related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any member of the same SBRCG or to any of the candidates for President, Vice-President and Senator or their spouses, and to any of the nominees for the party-list system of representation or their spouses.

      Upon receipt of the ballots, forms, supplies and paraphernalia, the SBRCG shall:

1. Verify the received quantity and serial numbers of the ballots, other accountable forms to be used for personal voting and the quantity of non-accountable forms, supplies and paraphernalia; and
   
   
2. Keep a complete record of the ballots and other accountable forms, subject to Article 104 of these Rules.

      For the May 10, 2004 elections, the Commission shall constitute the SBRCG not later than January 31, 2004.