The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as its citizens arm for all electoral exercises until prior to the May 2025 polls.

"Wherefore, the Commission (En Banc) resolves to grant the instant Petition. Petitioner Namfrel is hereby accredited as citizens' arm of the Commission for all electoral exercises, such as but not limited to, special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referendums, and recall elections, but not including regular elections," the Comelec said in a resolution.

"Considering that the Petitioner has an extensive membership in its constituency, and has participated and helped the Commission during the 09 May 2022 NLE, it has the capacity to undertake the activities in order to assist the Commission in the performance of its mandate in all the political activities or exercises prior to the 2025 Midterm Elections. Wherefore, premises considered, the Petition for accreditation of PPCRV as citizens' arm of Comelec is hereby granted," said the poll body.

Some of the scheduled electoral exercises this year are the Maguindanao Plebiscite (Sept. 17), Ormoc City Plebiscite (Oct. 8), and the Dec 5 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

In a separate interview, the poll official explained the reason for the move.

"In the past, when groups file applications, it is only for a specific election. I believe this is the first time that petitions to accredited citizens arm were granted for a certain period," Acting Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said.

"Instead of still waiting for them to apply, these same groups, the Comelec en Banc decided to just give them a continuing accreditation," he added.

"The next time they will apply to be accredited citizens arm will be for the May 2025 elections," Laudiangco said.

He said other groups may still apply for accreditation.

Namfrel and PPCRV also served as Comelec's citizens arm in previous polls.