Even before the official start time, long lines formed at Concepcion Elementary School in Marikina City. Several technical issues were also reported, including malfunctions of the automated counting machines (ACMs).
THE voting period for the 2025 national and local elections commenced on Monday, May 12, with over 68 million Filipinos expected to cast their ballots at designated polling precincts nationwide.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) implemented a special early voting system for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women, allowing them to vote as early as 5:00 a.m. Regular voting hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Comelec Chair George Garcia stated that at least 12 million senior citizens and 530,000 PWDs are anticipated to participate in the early voting. Reports indicate that many elderly, PWDs, and pregnant women were present at polling stations even before the official 5:00 a.m. start time.
“At 5:00 a.m., voting commenced nationwide, particularly for the elderly and those with disabilities. This is the first time we’ve implemented this nationwide early voting system,” Garcia told reporters in Silang, Cavite. He also noted the dedication of electoral board members and poll watchers, many of whom arrived as early as 2:00 a.m. to prepare voting materials.
In Cebu City, long lines formed at polling precincts as early as 3:30 a.m., with senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women among the first to arrive. Even those with mobility challenges participated, demonstrating a strong commitment to civic duty. For those unable to vote during the early hours, the Comelec has allocated express lanes and priority polling precincts.
A total of 69,673,655 Filipinos are registered voters for the 2025 midterm elections, with 68,431,965 registered domestically and 1,241,690 overseas. Overseas voting took place from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voting occurred from April 28 to 30. Malacañang declared May 12 a special non-working holiday to facilitate voting.
The Comelec expressed confidence in a peaceful and orderly election process. As of May 11, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that strict security measures remain in place, although no significant threats have been detected.
A total of 18,320 seats are contested in these elections, including 12 senatorial seats, 63 party-list representative positions, and 254 House member positions.
At the local level, 82 gubernatorial and vice-gubernatorial vacancies, 840 Sangguniang Panlalawigan member positions, 149 city mayoral and vice-mayoral positions, and 1,493 municipal mayoral and vice-mayoral positions are being contested. Additionally, 1,690 Sangguniang Panglungsod member positions and 11,948 Sangguniang Bayan member positions are up for grabs.
