Comelec: Registered voters for 2025 BSKE hits 1.2 million

More than 1.2 million individuals have registered to vote in the 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in December, data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) showed. 

As of August 6, Comelec logged a total of 1,204,144 voter applications during the nationwide registration period for the 2025 BSKE. 

Of the number, Region IV-A (Calabarzon) recorded the most registrants with 154,987. It was followed by Region III (Central Luzon) with 130,767; Region V (Bicol) with 95,649; and the National Capital Region with 95,373 registrants.

The Special Registration Anywhere Program (SRAP) sites in Metro Manila, meanwhile, received 8,642 voter applications. 

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia earlier described the voter registration for the 2025 BSKE as "the most successful voters registration in history. The most in number in the shortest period."

The poll body started the 10-day nationwide voter registration for the 2025 BSKE on Friday, August 1. It is slated to run until August 10.

However, voter registration in SRAP sites will last until August 7. 

The Comelec earlier said it is eyeing to register 1 million voters during the registration period. It increased its goal to 1.5 million after it reached its target just five days within the registration period.

The 2025 BSKE is set for December 1.

BARMM

Meanwhile, Garcia reiterated that the Comelec will continue its preparations for the Bangsamoro parliamentary election amid talks of postponement. 

“Sa part ng Comelec, 100% kaming naghahanda para sa Bangsamoro parliamentary elections,” he said. 

(We are in full preparations for the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections.)

“Tuloy na tuloy po yan at kakailanganin kasi ng batas para ipagpaliban ang Bangsamoro parliamentary elections and until today, wala naman kaming nababalitaan na kilos para ipagpaliban yan,” Garcia added. 

(A law would be required for the postponement but until today, we have yet to receive any information for the supposed reset.)

Senator Imee Marcos, during the Kapihan sa Senado, said there were “speculations” the first-ever parliamentary polls will be reset 

“Sa ngayon, may haka-haka na naman na yan ay ippostpone na naman ang BARMM,” Marcos said. 

(There are speculations the BARMM polls would be moved.)

Asked if there is enough time to pass a law for the postponement, Marcos answered: “Hindi natin alam. Alam mo naman minsan, nararatsada. Wag naman sana”. 

(We’re not sure because sometimes, they can railroad a law. But I hope it will not happen.)

Garcia, for his part, said the Comelec will push through with the preparations “as long as there are no changes” on the law. 

“Sa mga kababayan natin sa Bangsamoro, maaring hindi makumpleto yung 80 na parliamentary seats, maaaring 73 lang yan o kung makumpleto man, basta we will proceed with the elections at all costs dahil yan ay commitment sa inyo,” he said. 

(To our fellow Filipinos in BARMM, we may not complete the 80 seats and may only vote for 73 seats but regardless, we will proceed with the elections at all costs because that is our commitment.)

“Sa part ng Comelec, hanggat walang pagbabago sa batas we will proceed with all kinds of preparations,” Garcia added. 

(On our part in the Comelec, we will proceed with the preparations as long as there are no changes in the law.)

The Bangsamoro polls was reset from May 12 to October 13, 2025 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in February signed into law the measure postponing the first-ever parliamentary elections. 

The suspension came months after the Supreme Court (SC), in September 2024, upheld the validity of the Bangsamoro Organic Law but declared that Sulu was not part of BARMM. The Court denied motions seeking the reversal of the decision in November 2024.

The SC ruling necessitated the redistribution of the seven vacated seats originally allocated to Sulu under the Bangsamoro Electoral Code. However, the Bangsamoro government has yet to issue a decision on the reallocation.— VDV, GMA Integrated News