EU Election Observers Mission Restricted from Polling Precincts
The EU Election Observers Mission reported on Monday that it could not effectively observe the voting process during the 2025 Philippine elections. This was mainly because the Commission on Elections (Comelec) denied their request to enter polling precincts while voting was ongoing. Instead, the observers were only allowed inside after the polls had closed.
According to the EU Election Observers Mission, their observation approach relies heavily on unrestricted access to polling sites during voting hours. They explained, “As part of the EU methodology and prior to deployment [of] the poll observers on March 12, the EU and the Philippine authorities signed a mutual commitment granting to the EU poll observers freedom of access, at any time, to all polling precincts and the canvassing centers and also ensuring that all mission members shall abide by the Comelec’s International Election Observer Accreditation Guidelines and the EU EOM code of conduct.”
However, the observers added that recent instructions from Comelec limited these guarantees, making it impossible for the EU Election Observers Mission to carry out meaningful observation on election day. “As a result, the EU EOM could not ensure meaningful observation of the voting phase in polling precincts. Consequently, the Mission did not deploy the whole team of observers as originally planned. However, all EU observers were deployed to the counting process after the closing of the polls scheduled at 19:00 (7 pm),” they said.
Established EU Election Observers Mission Methodology Impacted
The EU Election Observers Mission emphasized that having access to polling precincts during election day is a well-established, respected practice that has been consistently applied for over 25 years across more than 75 countries. This methodology ensures that observers can monitor every phase of the electoral process, including the critical voting stage.
They further clarified, “The EU observes elections in the same manner in all countries where it is invited, guided by principles of objectivity, independence, non-interference and a comprehensive, long-term approach covering all phases of the electoral process, including voting proceedings.”
The mission intends to present its preliminary findings in a press conference scheduled for Wednesday, March 14. The full report is expected to be released in July.
Comelec and Legal Perspectives on Observer Access
The EU Election Observers Mission was invited by the Philippine government to monitor the elections. Initially, Comelec chairman George Garcia explained that allowing foreign observers inside polling precincts during voting would violate the Omnibus Election Code and might influence voters.
On the other hand, election lawyer and ML party-list nominee Leila de Lima argued that Comelec has the authority to permit foreign observers limited entry into polling places. This contrasting view highlights the ongoing debate about the balance between election transparency and voter privacy.
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