A HOUSE inquiry into 1,593 alleged election-related anomalies during the May 12, 2025 midterm elections has been formally requested. House Resolution 2291, filed by Makabayan bloc lawmakers House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, calls for a thorough investigation into the reported irregularities.
The lawmakers cite documentation from several election watchdogs, including Kontra Daya, VoteReportPH, NAMFREL, and the Computer Professionals Union, as the basis for their request.
The alleged anomalies encompass a wide range of irregularities, totaling 1,593 reported incidents. These include 798 cases involving issues with Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), 200 cases of illegal campaigning, 144 cases of voter disenfranchisement, and 451 other significant election violations.
The latter category encompasses a broad spectrum of concerns, ranging from non-compliance by Board of Election Inspectors to more serious offenses such as red-tagging, election-related violence and harassment, vote-buying and -selling, ballot tampering, and the spread of disinformation.
A significant concern highlighted in the resolution centers on the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) used for overseas voting.
The lawmakers argue that the OVCS lacked a Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), potentially violating Section 6(e) of the Automated Election System law.
The absence of a VVPAT, they contend, prevented overseas voters from verifying their votes, contributing to historically low voter turnout in some regions. This alleged deficiency raises serious questions about the integrity and fairness of the overseas voting process.
The resolution underscores the need for a comprehensive investigation to determine the extent of the alleged irregularities and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The lawmakers are seeking accountability for those responsible for any violations and recommendations to prevent similar issues from arising in future elections. The inquiry aims to address concerns about the reliability of the election systems and to safeguard the right of every citizen to participate in free and fair elections.
