MANILA, PHILIPPINES – With just 19 days to go before the midterm elections, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Garcia assured the public that the upcoming polls will be conducted with full transparency, accountability, and security—highlighting the agency’s detailed preparations and stringent measures to uphold electoral integrity.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel on April 23, Chairman Garcia emphasized that transparency and open communication with the public are non-negotiable, especially in a democratic exercise as critical as a national election.

“There should be no communication gap between the Commission and the electorate,” Garcia said. “The only way for people to trust the elections is to involve them in the process. That’s what we call inclusivity.”

Voter Readiness and Turnout

A total of 68.5 million Filipinos are registered to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. Historically, voter participation tends to dip during midterms, with COMELEC expecting a turnout of around 63 to 65 percent, compared to over 80 percent in the 2022 presidential elections.

Garcia encouraged all eligible voters to ensure their participation in the democratic process.

COMELEC has also scheduled final testing and sealing (FTS) of vote-counting machines and ballots from May 2 to May 8, where teachers serving as electoral board members will simulate voting using actual ballots with 10 registered voters per precinct.

“This is to determine if the machines are working properly—if the counting is correct—practically in front of everyone,” Garcia explained.

Following FTS, the machines will be sealed and stored in polling precincts, under the protection of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Ballot Security and Delivery

Garcia emphasized COMELEC’s close coordination with local government units in delivering and securing election materials nationwide.

“By April 30, the ballots should be in the treasurers’ offices, and by May 1, the machines should be in the hands of our teachers,” he said.

Ballots are printed on a strict one-to-one ratio with the number of registered voters and are treated as accountable documents, tracked and monitored from warehouse dispatch to delivery.

Nationwide ballot deployment began on April 22, with the Commission actively coordinating with law enforcement and election officers to ensure real-time monitoring of deliveries. Garcia highlighted the importance of transparency in this phase as well.

“We’ve instructed local COMELEC officials to coordinate with municipal treasurers so that watchers from political parties and citizens’ groups can witness the arrival and inspection of the ballots,” he said.

While treasurers maintain custody of the ballots, the VCMs, batteries, and ballot boxes fall under the supervision of local COMELEC officers, with all access points logged for accountability.

Automation and the Debate on Hybrid Elections

COMELEC remains firm in its implementation of a fully automated election system, despite persistent calls for a hybrid model that combines manual and automated vote counting.

Garcia reiterated that any shift in the election process must be legislated.

“COMELEC implements the law; we do not make it. Without a new law, we cannot shift to a hybrid system,” he said. “There must be enabling legislation and budgetary support for that.”

Election Observers and Global Confidence

Garcia confirmed that international election observers from the European Union, Japan, Brazil, and other nations will arrive to monitor the Philippine elections—an indication of increasing global confidence in the country’s democratic processes.

That trust was further affirmed when COMELEC was recently honored as the 2024 Election Commission of the Year together with other major distinctions: Electoral Ergonomy Award, Adjudication Award and International Institutional Engagement Award.

These recognitions highlight the Commission’s commitment to electoral integrity, crisis response, and international collaboration.

Final Briefing for Stakeholders

A final national stakeholder briefing is scheduled for May 10, with political parties, government agencies, and citizens’ arms expected to participate. The session aims to review election day procedures and address any last-minute concerns.

Garcia concluded his remarks by urging Filipinos to go out and vote, calling on candidates themselves to help mobilize turnout as part of their democratic responsibility. He also reiterated that transparency remains at the heart of the Commission’s mission—from logistics to voter communication.

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