COMELEC prepares for 2025 elections, issues voters’ key guidelines

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) — Commission on Elections-Misamis Oriental Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Carlito Ravelo reported that registered voters in the region exceeded 3 million, spanning Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin.

He said Misamis Oriental leads with over 1 million voters.

“Ang Region 10 isa na sa vote-rich regions sa entiro Pilipinas. Naay total nga 3,190,362 voters nga naglangkob sa lima ka probinsya,” Ravelo said.

(Region 10 ranks among the Philippines’ vote-rich regions, with 3,190,362 voters across five provinces.)

Ravelo detailed Misamis Oriental’s voter distribution across two congressional districts.

“District 1, covering Balingasag to Magsaysay, including Gingoog City, has 302,235 registered voters and 429 clustered precincts. District 2, spanning Lugait to Jasaan, including El Salvador City, has 393,285 voters,” he said.

In Cagayan de Oro City, he said the 1st District’s 24 barangays hold 212,016 registered voters and 233 clustered precincts, while the 2nd District’s 56 barangays account for 204,885 voters and 249 precincts. Combining the voters of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro, there are 1,112,421 voters and 1,452 clustered precincts.

Election details and schedules

With the 2025 elections approaching, COMELEC stressed the need to understand key schedules and processes. The national campaign period begins on February 11, 2025, while local campaigns start on March 25, 2025. Both end on May 10, 2025, two days before election day.

On May 12 —election day—voting runs from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Special voting hours for PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women are from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Priority polling places will also operate from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM for these groups.

Special arrangements are also in place for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). COMELEC will deploy special electoral boards to ensure registered PDL voters can cast their votes from 7:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

On election day, voters will choose 12 senators, one party-list representative, a congressional representative per district, a provincial governor, a vice governor, provincial board members, a mayor, a vice mayor, and municipal councilors.

Misamis Oriental voters will elect five board members for each two districts, while Cagayan de Oro will select eight city councilors per district.

COMELEC-10 showcases the Automated Counting Machine for the 2025 National and Local Elections. (File photo: DCC/PIA10)
COMELEC-10 showcases the Automated Counting Machine for the 2025 National and Local Elections. (File photo: DCC/PIA10)

Transparent and secure voting process

COMELEC assures the public of the safety and security of Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) during the May 2025 elections. The machines have rechargeable batteries to prevent interruptions, and backup machines are ready for deployment with technical personnel on standby for repairs.

To prevent transmission issues, COMELEC will use satellite technology, including Starlink, ensuring 100% nationwide transmission from ACMs. Transparency is bolstered by parallel counting conducted by accredited organizations and political parties, guaranteeing accurate and credible results.

Election results from ACMs will be transmitted to the City/Municipality Board of Canvassers, Central Server, Accredited Citizens’ Arms 1 and 2, Dominant Majority, Dominant Minority, and Media Server.

Voters are reminded to check the list of registered voters outside their precincts to find their sequence and number. After identity verification and ensuring no indelible ink on their finger, they will follow the steps to cast votes and feed their ballots into the ACM.

COMELEC advises voters to shade the circles fully on their ballots for accurate counting. Ballots have security features. Hence, marking them is prohibited to prevent rejection. Voting receipts will be issued and must be deposited in designated precinct compartments.

COMELEC aims to uphold electoral integrity and maintain public trust through these measures and urged citizens to exercise their right to vote and actively participate in the upcoming elections. (JAKA/PIA-10)

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