CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – With less than a year before the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Region 7 announced the key dates and procedures that candidates and voters need to be aware of.
During the recent Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) 7 Coordinating and Command Conference, regional election director Atty. Francisco G. Pobe provided an overview of the calendar of activities and election-related procedures for the 2025 NLE.
According to Pobe, the official campaign period for the 2025 elections will start at precisely 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 12, signaling the beginning of the election period.
He emphasized that all election-related activities will fall under the jurisdiction of the Comelec.
On Feb. 11, the certified list of voters will be posted in barangays across the provinces, providing an official reference for those registered voters, while the campaign period for national candidates and party list groups will end on May 10.
The campaign period for local candidates running for positions such as regional, provincial, city, and municipal offices, and for the House of Representatives will begin on March 28 and end on May 10.
Pobe reminded government employees, especially the uniformed personnel, who are unable to cast their ballots at their designated precincts due to work assignments on May 12 to submit their application for local absentee voting by March 7 to 10.
Local absentee voting is set on April 20 to 30.
On April 13 to May 12, Pobe said the Overseas Filipiino Workers (OFWs) are going to cast their votes by online voting, mail, or going to the respective consular office of the Philippines.
Pobe also addressed concerns regarding the use of automated election machines (ACMs) and the security of the election process.
From May 2 to 7, the Comelec will work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and other government agencies to transport, test, and seal the machines.
“We have to make sure that once this machine will arrive at their respective precincts, especially in the barangay, it shall be guarded strictly so that nobody will be able to make unscrupulous maneuver over the machines,” he said.
On election day, May 12, there will be special provisions for vulnerable sectors.
Early voting will be available from 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other vulnerable groups.
Regular voting will proceed from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with priority still given to individuals who belong to the vulnerable sectors.
Polling centers will have special facilities for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), and support staff will assist in transporting ballots for the PDLs.
One month after the election day, candidates will also be required to submit their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).
Voter registration and statistical update
In a separate update, Pobe announced the final registered voters for the Central Visayas.
As of Jan. 2, there are 4,389,344 registered voters in the region.
Cebu has 3,407,780 registered voters with 4,120 clustered precincts, while Bohol has 981,564 voters with 1,542 precincts.
“This is the final one because we have already made necessary deletion of the doubled registrants, katong nangamatay (those who are dead), katong mga na transfer (those who are transferred),” Pobe said.
For the electoral board status, Bohol has 5,235, while Cebu has 15,306.
Pobe urged all candidates and voters to stay informed and follow Comelec’s guidelines.
As the election period continues to unfold, Pobe assured the public that the Comelec is fully prepared to handle the upcoming polls, with careful planning and coordination among various agencies to ensure smooth and secure elections.
For inquiries, voters and candidates may check the Comelec website: comelec.gov.ph or visit the regional and provincial Comelec offices.(MSH/PIA7 Cebu)
