Participation in the 2025 International Election Observation Program in the Philippines |
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Last updated 2025-05-29 |
Participation in
the 2025 International Election Observation Program in the Philippines
From May 9 to 13, two representatives
from the A-WEB Secretariat, Mr. Hosung Kang, Director of the Organization
Department, and Mr. Pablo Lim, Deputy Director of Communications and Capacity
Development, participated in the 2025 International Election Observation
Program (IEOP) for the Midterm National and Local Elections in the Philippines,
in response to an official invitation from the Commission on Elections of the
Philippines (COMELEC). A total of 68,431,965 voters across 18 regions were registered for the
Midterm elections. Additionally, 1,220,942 overseas voters were registered
across 77 posts worldwide. Notably, this election marked the first-ever
implementation of the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) for overseas
voting. The overseas voting period ran from April 13 to May 12, 2025.
Days 1 & 2: Opening Ceremony, Networking, and Election Briefing On May 10, the IEOP officially commenced
with an opening ceremony attended by nearly 50 participants from 14 countries
and three international organizations, reflecting strong global interest in the
Philippines’ electoral process. Following the ceremony, the A-WEB
delegation, led by Mr. Kang, had the opportunity to meet with Hon. George Erwin
Mojica Garcia, Chairman of the COMELEC. Mr. Kang expressed gratitude for the
invitation and conveyed best wishes for a successful election on behalf of
Secretary General Mr. In-sik Jang. Chairman Garcia warmly welcomed the A-WEB
Secretariat delegation and reaffirmed the COMELEC’s commitment—as one of
A-WEB’s office bearers—to fostering collaboration between the two organizations. The Secretariat representatives also met
with A-WEB member EMBs from around 16 countries, exchanging perspectives and
insights on election observation practices. During the Election Briefing session, the
COMELEC presented the implementation of information and communications
technology (ICT), specifically the automated systems for this election. The
Commission was authorized to implement automated systems for this election, for
various stages of the electoral process, including voting, counting,
canvassing, and result transmission, and adopted the Automated Counting Machine
(ACM), which played a significant role in ensuring a more streamlined and
reliable election. The COMELEC also introduced key
logistical measures, including the designation of 438,500 precincts, the
clustering of 93,287 precincts, and the establishment of 37,527 voting centers
nationwide. In addition, the Precinct Finder, an online platform, was
launched to help voters easily locate their designated polling stations. IEOP participants visited key Election
Operation Centers such as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)
and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to gain firsthand insight into
election management systems and contingency planning.
Day 3: Election Day Observations On May 12, IEOP observers, including the
A-WEB representatives, were divided into groups to monitor various aspects of
the electoral process. The A-WEB Secretariat, assigned to Group B, visited
several polling centers to observe operations on the ground. The first observation was conducted at Mataas
na Paaralang Araullo High School. Polling hours ran from 7:00 AM to 7:00
PM, with special accommodations between
5:00 AM and 7:00 AM for vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, persons
with disabilities, and pregnant women. The resilience of voters, undeterred by
long lines and hot weather, reflected a strong commitment to democratic
participation. The delegation also observed Persons
Deprived of Liberty (PDL) voting. PDLs include individuals awaiting trial,
those serving sentences of less than one year, or those with pending appeals
for crimes such as rebellion or sedition. Over 70,000 PDLs were registered to
vote in this election, with polling taking place at Special Polling Places
within jails until 3:00 PM. Another notable innovation was the Mall
Voting Program (MVP), which allowed voters—especially the elderly, persons
with disabilities, and pregnant women—to cast their votes in shopping malls.
This initiative aimed to provide a more accessible, comfortable, and
air-conditioned voting environment. For the 2025 elections, 85,249 voters cast
their ballots in 42 participating malls across the country.
The A-WEB Secretariat’s participation in
the 2025 IEOP underscores its commitment to supporting democratic processes and
fostering international cooperation through election observation. The program
served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and further strengthened
ties between A-WEB and member EMBs worldwide.
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