Comelec allows EU observers at poll areas after voting, canvassing areas

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has allowed European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission members to enter polling places after voters have cast their votes on Eleksyon 2025.

The Comelec earlier said that members of the poll-watching mission may not be allowed inside the voting precincts, citing the country's election law.

“Sinabi namin na bawal sila sa presinto sa araw ng eleksyon, kapag bumoboto ang mga kababayan natin, pagkat yan ang ating batas,” poll chief George Erwin Garcia said. 

(We told them they cannot enter the polling precincts on May 12 during the voting hours.)

“Ngayon po ang sinabi namin, tapos na ang pagpapaboto, magkakaroon na ng tinatawag ng printing ng election returns, posting ng election returns, ballot review, pwede na po sila na nandyan," he added.

Pwede na rin po silang pumasok, walang restriction, sa ating mga canvassing areas so long as kaya i-accomodate sila,” Garcia said.

(Now, we’re saying they can enter after the voting hours when the election returns are being printed and posted. They can also enter without restrictions in the canvassing centers as long as they can be accommodated.)

On Thursday, Garcia said the Comelec declined the request of the EU observers to be allowed entry in polling precincts during the 2025 May elections, saying that doing so would violate Philippine laws.

He cited the 1987 Constitution as well as a provision of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) under Article 7, Section 52(k) B.2, which states that: "Members or units of any citizen group or organization so designated by the Comelec, except its lone duly accredited watcher, will not be allowed to enter any polling place except to vote, and shall, if they so desire, stay in an area at least fifty meters away from the polling place."

“Nag-agree sila at nagpasalamat sila sa pinakita nating flexibility at naunawaan natin ang kanilang kalagayan at naunawaan na nila ang pag-insist natin sa ating batas," Garcia said. 

"Sapagkat sa bandang huli, kung meron silang isusulat sa kanilang observation, ‘yun ay firm ang Comelec sa pagpapatupad ng ating batas,” he added. 

(They agreed and thanked us for the flexibility. In the end, we’re hoping that they will write down in their observation that the Comelec was firm in implementing our laws.)

The EU poll observers are in the country on the invitation of the Philippine government. –NB, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.