A WEB

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.