3 weeks ago
12
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Registered voters cast their ballots at a polling precinct in the Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School in Tondo, Manila, Philippines, May 15, 2025.
Philstar.com / Anjilica Andaya
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections recorded an 81.65% voter turnout in Monday's midterm polls — the highest participation rate ever for midterm elections in the Philippines.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia confirmed this at a press conference on Thursday, March 15.
"Yes, it is the highest in a midterm election," Garcia said.
The figure is just slightly below the 82.5% turnout in the 2022 presidential elections.
The last time the Comelec conducted midterm elections was in 2019, when it recorded a 75.90% voter turnout — at least four percentage points lower than Monday’s turnout.
Midterm polls have historically drawn fewer voters compared to presidential elections.
Garcia sees the high turnout as a result of strong youth participation during this election cycle.
"Based on initial assessment, young people really came out in droves during these elections. The public wants their voices to be heard," Garcia said in a mix of English and Filipino.
But older voters also showed up at polling precincts, Garcia said, especially during the early voting hours reserved for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women.
"More than three million [voters] showed up to our early voting hours, in just two hours," Garcia said.
The Comelec chairperson also believes the commission's visibility throughout the election period contributed to the increased participation.
"Leading to the election, I believe Comelec deserves some credit for being visible. At least in all fairness, we were everywhere starting from the registration period," he said.
Garcia added that their campaign against vote buying and persistent calls for the youth to cast their ballots helped elevate electoral discourse.
"Perhaps young people were challenged by our persistent reminders," he said.
There were 68.4 million voters registered for the 2025 midterm elections. Of this number, at least 28.11 million are voters aged 18 to 34 years old.
