The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is hoping that its proposed changes to the country’s voting procedures will be heard and supported by lawmakers.
In the recently concluded 2025 midterm elections, COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia observed several challenges faced by voters, particularly the use of elementary schools as polling places.
"Ang pagboto po natin sa ating paaralang elementary school, paaralang public schools, kaliliit ng classrooms," said Garcia during an interview on Dos Por Dos.
"Dumadami ang voting populations tapos ang ating pagboto laging Mayo dahil nakalagay yan sa ating Saligang Batas. So ano po ang ibig sabihin, asahan niyo po yung laging napakahabang pila, napakainit, napaka-unfair na kondisyon ng ating mga botante," he added.
Garcia noted that the number of registered voters has increased from 66 million in 2022 to 68,431,965 in 2025, and is projected to reach 70 to 71 million by 2028.
Given the rising number of voters, Garcia proposed to lawmakers that voting be allowed in private establishments to provide a more comfortable experience for the public. He emphasized that children's classrooms are too small to accommodate the growing number of voters, especially considering the heat inside polling precincts.
"Therefore, sa atin pong palagay kinakailangan pag-isipan na ng ating mga mambabatas, payagan na na magkaroon tayo ng pagboto sa mga pribadong malalaking lugar o gusali," said Garcia.
This proposal is in addition to the current mall voting program, which allows registered voters to cast their votes in malls—provided their precincts have been officially transferred to these designated voting centers by the Comelec. The initiative aims to make the voting process more accessible, comfortable, and efficient.
Garcia also expressed hope that the poll body’s budget request will be approved. He said the funds would be used to acquire more Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) to improve the voting process.
Garcia explained that additional ACMs would reduce the number of voters assigned to each precinct, thereby minimizing long lines and slow processing.
"Kung tayo ay nabigyan lamang ng hinihiling nating budget. Umaabot ng 800 registered voters bawat presinto, kailangan po namin itong i-cluster o pagsamasamahin dahil ito lamang ang binigay na budget, ito lang ang makina na atin pong magagamit," said Garcia.
"Pero kung tayo po'y pinayagan kahit tig-400 bawat presinto lang, basta ba may budget na pangrenta man lang ng makina, therefore dadami po ang presinto natin," he added.
Meanwhile, COMELEC is also proposing early voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and pregnant women—one week before the official election day.
"So what po? ang importante makaboto sila ng maaga."
"Yun nga pong PNP, mga miyembro ng media, yung mga miyembro ng pamahalaan pinapaboto natin ng mas maaga isang linggo, bago mag-eleksyon, yung nakatatanda, may kapansanan, pabotohin na rin natin ng mas maaga," he added.
According to Garcia, this suggestion has already been passed in the House of Representatives and is now awaiting approval in the Senate.
It can be recalled that in the previous election, early voting hours were implemented. Senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women were allowed to vote from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Garcia also shared his hope that online voting will eventually be implemented to further improve convenience for Filipino voters.
Meanwhile, COMELEC's canvassing and proclamation of winners are targeted to be completed this weekend.
