CEBU CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Central Visayas has observed a slower turnout of registrants for the upcoming mid-term elections scheduled for May 12, 2025, despite implementing measures to boost voter registration.
According to Philippines News Agency, Omar Sharif Dilangalen Mamalinta, spokesperson for Comelec-Central Visayas, expressed concerns about the reduced pace of registration activities from July 1 to September 28. However, he noted a positive development with a five percent increase in the number of applicants compared to the previous registration period. “Based on our observations, we have a slower turnout. The good thing is that we see a five percent increase since the last elections,” Mamalinta stated.
During the last Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in 2023, Comelec-7 recorded 4,366,583 registrants. With the ongoing registration process, officials anticipate adding at least 218,000 new registrants for next year’s elections. Mamalinta highlighted Comelec’s commitment to facilitating voter participation, mentioning that offices were operational even on Saturdays and holidays, with only Sundays off.
The regional realignment has now limited Comelec-7’s jurisdiction to only Bohol and Cebu, as Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces have transitioned to the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR). Mamalinta also praised the central office’s Register Anywhere Program (RAP), which allows workers and students to register or transfer their registration outside their home provinces. This initiative aims to ease congestion at major registration sites, particularly in Cebu and Bohol.