In a move to enhance voter convenience, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bicol has entered into a partnership with Ayala Malls in Legazpi City, Albay. The agreement, signed on February 21, 2025, will allow 1,016 registered voters from Barangay Lapu-Lapu to cast their votes at the Ayala Mall during the upcoming May elections. This initiative is part of Comelec’s ongoing efforts to improve the voting experience for the 2025 national and local elections.
Maria Juana Valeza, Director of Comelec 5, emphasized that the mall voting arrangement would not incur any additional costs for the election commission, as the mall management has agreed to cover all expenses related to setting up the voting precinct. This arrangement is particularly beneficial for voters who would otherwise have to vote in potentially uncomfortable conditions, with temperatures expected to reach a record high of 52 degrees Celsius in May 2025.
Valeza also highlighted Comelec’s commitment to ensuring safe and orderly elections, especially in remote and high-risk areas, through continued coordination with law enforcement agencies. This initiative follows a successful pilot test of mall voting conducted in SM Legazpi City during the 2022 elections, indicating a growing trend towards more accessible voting locations.