There are around 68 million voters for the upcoming 2025 elections. Out of the said amount, 1.180 million individuals registered abroad, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Garcia said.
Considering the provided data, Garcia noted that they are expecting more people to register or get approved. With that in mind, the COMELEC Chair emphasized that they will be prioritizing enhanced voting experience and transparency for this year’s election period.
“Enhanced voting experience, walang kapalit ‘yon para sa akin. Number two of course, is transparency. ‘Yun talaga yung pinapatupad natin sa COMELEC, wala naman dapat itinatago. At dapat alam ng sambayanan bakit nagkaganito, ano yung dahilan etc.,” Garcia said.
“We should be able to answer all the questions of our voters. Hindi pwedeng walang katanungan, lalo pa at kontrobersyal ay hindi nasasagot ng COMELEC. Tama na yung palaging nangyayari noong nakaraan na may tanong pero walang tumutugon o walang nagsasalita,” he added.
Additionally, Garcia mentioned that they instructed their personnel that they must inform the public, regardless if the news is good or bad.
Implementing Early Voting Hours
The enhanced voting experience includes the implementation of early voting hours for Senior Citizens, Persons with Disability (PWDs), and heavily pregnant women. Garcia stressed that certain groups of people brave the heat and crowd just to vote. The evident challenge caught the COMELEC’s attention, prompting a response to lessen the burdens of voting.
“Yung enhanced voting experience, alam niyo kasi nakakalungkot ang daming kababayan natin. Nakatatanda, na pumipila ng pagkahaba-haba sa bawat presinto. Tapos naghahanap ng mga pangalan nila, hindi nila makita. May mga binago tayo,” Garcia said.
“Sa pagkakataon ngayon, meron tayong early voting hours, na ginawa na namin sa Muntinlupa at saka sa Naga noong barangay and SK, and napaka successful,” he added.
Included individuals will be allowed to vote as early as 5 AM until 7 AM from the scheduled date of voting. Garcia noted that they will be given the option to vote early on to ensure safety and ease.
“Kahit papaano, hindi mainit hindi nag sisiksikan, hindi sila natutulak. Sinisigurado natin na kahit 5 AM to 7 AM sila, sa ground floors ng lahat ng buildings sila boboto. Walang pagkakataon na sila’y boboto sa 2nd o 3rd floor, unless sila mismo may gustong mag exercise papuntang 2nd o 3rd floor,” he said.
While the COMELEC is awaiting the approval of an early voting law, Garcia also expressed hope for the approval of mall voting nationwide, as part of the enhanced voting experience.
The COMELEC is currently cleansing the list of voters in preparation for the 2025 midterm elections in May.
