BAGUIO CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is nearly fully prepared for the upcoming May 2025 national and local elections, with preparations reaching 95 percent completion, according to Chairperson George Erwin Garcia. During a press conference held on Sunday amidst the Panagbenga Festival parade, Garcia emphasized that the commission is on track with its preparations.
Garcia stated, “We are 95 percent ready in our preparations. We are meeting our deadlines across various aspects of our planning.” He highlighted that despite a two-week delay caused by court-issued restraining orders affecting some candidates’ disqualifications, approximately 45 million out of the total 72 million ballots have been printed as of Sunday. The goal is to complete the printing by March 19, with subsequent verification processes scheduled between April 10 and 20.
To address the delay, Comelec has prioritized the printing of ballots for remote areas to facilitate early deployment by the end of March. Additionally, election materials and voting machines are prepared and ready for distribution.
Garcia also mentioned that training for Department of Education supervisors and school principals has been completed, with electoral board training set to commence next week. The Comelec’s involvement in the Panagbenga Festival parade is part of a broader voter education campaign aimed at encouraging informed voting and boosting voter turnout.
“The Comelec is committed to ensuring that every vote is counted and the rightful winners are declared,” Garcia affirmed in Filipino.