BUTUAN CITY – On May 12, 2025, millions of registered voters will cast their votes for national and local positions. This includes selecting 12 senators, one party-list group, one district representative, and various local government officials.
To help ensure a smooth, secure, and efficient voting experience, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has provided a detailed guide. Below is everything you need to know before heading to the polls.
Before Election Day: Know Your Precinct and Polling Place
Each voter is assigned a specific precinct number and polling location, which is typically a public school. In 2025, Comelec is also introducing mall voting in select locations to improve accessibility.
To confirm your voting details:
- Check your Voter’s Information Sheet (VIS), which is delivered to your home by Comelec representatives.
- Use the Comelec Precinct Finder to find your precinct number, sequence number, and polling place.
Knowing this information in advance helps reduce confusion and delays on election day.
What You’re Voting For
During the 2025 midterm elections, Filipino voters will elect candidates for the following positions:
National Positions
- 12 Senators
- 1 Party-list Representative
- 1 District Representative (House of Representatives)
Provincial Positions
- 1 Governor
- 1 Vice Governor
- Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board)
City or Municipal Positions
- 1 Mayor
- 1 Vice Mayor
- Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) or Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council)
The number of councilors or board members you can vote for depends on your province or city. This information is included in your VIS or may be confirmed with your local Comelec office.
Voting Hours
- Polling places will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on May 12, 2025.
- Early voting (beginning at 5:00 a.m.) is allowed for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant voters, provided their assistant is registered in the same precinct.
How to Vote: 8 Easy Steps on Election Day
- Approach the Electoral Board
- State your full name, precinct number, and sequence number.
- Verification of Registration
- Poll workers will check your name on the Election Day Computerized Voters List and inspect your fingernail for indelible ink.
- Sign the Voters List
- If no ink is found, you’ll sign beside your name on the official list.
- Receive Your Ballot and Pen
- A clean ballot will be placed in a secrecy folder, along with a marking pen.
- Vote Carefully
- Fully shade the circle next to your chosen candidates. Do not exceed the allowed number of selections for each position.
- Feed the Ballot into the Machine
- Insert your ballot into the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) and wait for the machine to process it.
- Check Your Voter Receipt
- Review the printed receipt. If there is a discrepancy, inform the electoral board immediately.
- Return Materials and Get Inked
- Return the folder and pen. The poll workers will mark your finger with indelible ink to confirm you have voted.
Do’s and Don’ts on Election Day
Do:
- Check your precinct and sequence number in advance.
- Bring a list of your selected candidates (kodigo) to vote efficiently.
- Vote only for the allowed number of candidates per position.
- Fully shade the oval beside each chosen name.
- Handle your ballot carefully and keep it inside the secrecy folder.
- Review your voter receipt before submitting it to the receptacle box.
- Report any problems (e.g., pre-marked ballots, machine errors) to the Electoral Board.
- Return the folder and pen after voting.
Don’t:
- Over-vote; this will nullify your vote for that position.
- Write or add marks on the ballot besides shading the designated ovals.
- Fold, tear, or smudge your ballot.
- Take photos of your ballot or voter receipt; this is against election laws.
- Wear or display campaign materials inside polling places.
- Discuss your voting choices inside the voting area.
- Bring weapons or cause disruptions at the voting site.
- Forget to return the folder and pen, or to have your finger inked.
- Linger in the polling area after voting.
If You Encounter Problems
If your name is missing from the voters list, your ballot is damaged, or you have questions about the voting process, seek assistance from the Electoral Board. They are trained to help and guide voters throughout the process.
