Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially sanctioned a 15 percent shading threshold for ballots in the May 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE). This decision marks the lowest shading threshold since the country’s transition to automated elections in 2010.

According to Philippines News Agency, the adjustment in the shading threshold from the previous 25 percent was proposed by the Project Management Office and received approval from the Commission en banc. Comelec Chair George Garcia confirmed the decision in a statement, emphasizing the Commission’s satisfaction with the rationale behind the reduction. He highlighted the importance of this change for the upcoming election cycle.

Chair Garcia called upon electoral candidates to play a proactive role in voter education, suggesting that candidates incorporate guidance on proper ballot shading into their campaign efforts. This initiative aims to ensure voters are well-informed about the new threshold requirements as they head to the polls
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Historically, the shading threshold has varied in past elections, with a 25 percent threshold used in the 2022 and 2019 elections, and a 50 percent threshold in 2016 and 2013. The initial automated election in 2010 implemented a 20 percent threshold. The upcoming campaign period for national candidates will commence on February 11, 2025, followed by the local campaign period starting on March 28, and both will conclude on May 10, 2025.