Comelec denies EU observers’ request to visit poll centers on May 12

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

European Union election monitoring mission chief observer Marta Temido, MEP, holds a press briefing on the deployment of 104 short-term observers in Makati City on Wednesday (May 7, 2025). They will be deployed to all regions of the Philippines, in both urban and rural areas. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied the request of election observers from the European Union (EU) to allow them free access to voting centers on May 12.

In a news forum in Manila on Thursday, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said giving foreigners access to voting centers will not only disrupt the voting process but will also violate Philippine laws.

“I told them that it is not possible for anyone to be allowed to enter [the voting centers], which is against our laws… The Commission en banc is standing firm that we cannot allow anybody inside the polling precincts,” Garcia said.

He said that under the Omnibus Election Code, only voters, electoral board members, the watchers of citizens’ arm and political parties, and Comelec support staff are allowed inside polling centers.

“No one else is allowed to enter the precincts. Even Comelec personnel cannot just enter,” Garcia said, adding that entering polling centers without permission from the Comelec constitutes an election offense.

“Anyone who enters the precinct without authorization, that is an election offense,” the Comelec chief said.

The request by the EU election observers to enter precincts was made through a formal letter to the Comelec.

Garcia said the foreign observers had told the poll body that prohibiting them inside polling precincts could violate international standards.

Asked on the possibility of the EU observers coming out with a negative report on the Philippines following the rejection of their request, Garcia said, the Comelec “is willing to face the consequences.”

“The Comelec is there to enforce the laws. If we are violators of the law, how can we disqualify?” he said.

“A resolution contrary to law is no valid resolution at all.

That’s clear.”