MANILA, Philippines — With the voter registration period for the 2025 midterm elections now officially closed, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is reminding Filipinos of the eligibility rules outlined under Republic Act 8189, also known as the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996.
To be eligible to vote, individuals must:
Be Filipino citizens aged 18 or older
Have resided in the Philippines for at least one year before election day
Have lived in the city or municipality where they intend to vote for at least six months
Who Are Disqualified From Registering to Vote?
Under the same law, the following individuals are not allowed to register as voters:
Those sentenced to imprisonment for one year or more
Persons convicted of rebellion, sedition, or crimes against national security
Individuals declared clinically insane or mentally incompetent
However, the law provides provisions for these individuals to regain their right to vote, depending on the legal or medical circumstances.
Registration Timeline and Voter Participation Data
According to the Comelec, voter registration must close:
At least 120 days before regular elections
90 days before special elections
The registration for the 2025 elections is now closed. As of the latest data:
The Philippines has 68.4 million registered voters out of a population of 115 million
10.4 million registered voters failed to participate in the 2022 elections
Voter turnout has not exceeded 90% in any election since 1992
Historical data shows midterm elections generally see lower voter turnout compared to presidential elections, a trend Comelec hopes to address through increased voter education and awareness campaigns.