Asian poll observers urge update of PH Election Code, flag 'systemic issues'

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) launched Thursday its final election observation report for Eleksyon 2025, stressing the impact of "systemic issues," such vote-buying and political dynasties, that undermine the country’s electoral integrity. 

The international poll observers reported their key findings and proposed a two-part reform roadmap for the Philippine elections, including short-term and long-term actions such as:

• strengthening of crowd management
• enhancing of voting accessibility
• conducting a full nationwide and more realistic mock elections
• ensuring transparency in all activities of the Commission on Elections (Comelec)

Meanwhile, long-term actions include the ANFREL's call for the review and amendment of the Omnibus Election Code, particularly the elimination of outdated provisions; update of definitions of electoral offenses and enforcement procedures; and incorporation of provisions for automation, digital security, and online campaign regulation.

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission, which also sent a delegation to the Philippines to observe the conduct of Eleksyon 2025, had also called for updates to the Omnibus Election Code, saying nearly half of its provisions were already outdated.

ANFREL also urged for the institutionalization of the Comelec Vulnerable Sectors Office (VSO) and Political Finance Affairs Department (PFAD), as well as the banning of political dynasties. 

The final report said, "ANFREL concludes that while the 2025 elections were generally well-administered, deep-rooted structural challenges continue to compromise the credibility and competitiveness of the electoral process."

"Sustained reforms, particularly in campaign finance, party-list regulation, and abuse of state resources, are essential to strengthening electoral integrity and fostering democratic accountability in the Philippines," it said.

The report added: "ANFREL calls for continued engagement between COMELEC, civil society, and political stakeholders to address these issues and ensure more inclusive, competitive, and transparent elections in the future."

In its interim report released last May, ANFREL flagged the abuse of state resources and vote-buying as "disturbing factors" in the recent midterm polls. It also raised the need to expand the coverage of the Comelec Committee on Kontra Bigay to include the "ayuda" or cash dole outs to "level the playing field."

The Philippines held its midterm elections on May 12. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

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