Comelec-7 reports May 12 midterm polls post highest voter turnout

CEBU, Philippines — Central Visayas achieved its highest voter turnout as the May 2025 midterm elections concluded, with over 3.7 million voters participated or an 86.52 percent turnout rate.

This turnout surpassed the previous marks set in the 2022 presidential elections and 2019 midterm polls, making the 2025 elections a historic moment for voter participation in the region.

Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) Director, Atty. Francisco Pobe, shared this achievement during the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) exit conference held in Cebu City.

"This is the highest turnout we've had so far. Even better than in 2022 and 2019," said Pobe.

Comparatively, the region registered an 85.03 percent turnout in 2022, with over 4.4 million voters casting their ballots, and 79.75 percent in 2019, where nearly 4 million of the region’s 4.9 million registered voters took part.

Pobe attributed this upward trend in civic engagement to various initiatives, including information campaigns, early voting for priority sectors, and the implementation of mall voting in select precincts.

Despite a slight decline in the total number of registered voters in 2025 due to the exclusion of Siquijor and Negros Oriental, now part of the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR), the turnout remained strong.

For instance in Cebu Province, nine municipalities reported voter turnout rates of 90 percent or higher. These municipalities are Asturias, Badian, Borbon, Catmon, Dalaguete, Moalboal, Tabogon, Tabuelan, and Samboan.

In the Comelec presentation, a total of 292,465 individuals participated in the early and special voting hours held from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. The early voting time were set aside for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant voters.

Bohol Province contributed 82,209 early voters, while Cebu Province recorded over 210,000 who availed themselves of the early voting window.

Mall voting with 289 voters casting their ballots at Robinsons Galleria Cebu and SM City Consolacion was also conducted during the elections. This yielded a 77.17 percent turnout among voters from Barangays Parian in Cebu City and Pitogo in Consolacion.

Pobe emphasized the peaceful conduct of the elections in Central Visayas, stating that no election failures or major technical issues were recorded.

“Election-related incidents were minimal to negligible,” he said, adding that minor logistical and technical issues were swiftly addressed through coordination between local precincts and the regional command center.

Among these were cases of ballot misdelivery in Candijay, Bohol and in the Cebu towns of San Fernando, Aloguinsan, Bantayan, San Remigio, and Tabuelan. A minor technical issue with a USB drive for a vote-counting machine also occurred in Pinamungajan.

Nonetheless, these issues were promptly resolved and did not affect the integrity or credibility of the elections, according to the Comelec-7 chief.

Pobe credited the successful implementation of the elections to close coordination among national and local agencies comprising the RJSCC, including the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippine, Department Education, Deparent of Justice, and Department of Health.

He also recognized the contribution of civil society groups and watchdogs, such as the Philippine Information Agency, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), and Cebu-Citizens Involvement and Maturation in People’s Empowerment and Liberation (C-CIMPEL).

“This collaborative effort is what made the entire election process smooth, efficient, and most of all, peaceful,” Pobe said.

Reflecting on the past midterm elections in 2019 and the recent 2025 exercise, Pobe highlighted the significant improvement in voter turnout and civic engagement, signaling what he called a “maturing electorate.”

He praised poll workers, especially teachers, for their dedication throughout the long election day, which in many precincts started as early as 4 a.m. and continued through the proclamations.

He added that no election-related violence was recorded in Region-7, making this year's election one of the most peaceful and organized elections in the region’s history.

He explained that the region not only beat its 24-hour proclamation target but also showcased how joint security and election monitoring mechanisms can deliver effective results.

According to him, the entire electoral process—from pre-election preparations to vote countingwas implemented within the 120-day national election calendar that ends on June 12, 2025.

That date also marks the deadline for candidates and parties to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE), as required by law.

Pobe also addressed the broader political atmosphere during the election period, acknowledging that while the process involved criticisms, rivalries, and intense competition, the region managed to uphold peace and order.

The regional chief also announced tentative dates for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this December.

These include voter registration from July 1 to 11, filing of certificates of candidacy from October 1 to 7, a campaign period from November 20 to 29, and Election Day on December 1, 2025.  — (FREEMAN)