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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider EU to release initial findings on poll observation mission on Wednesday

EU to release initial findings on poll observation mission on Wednesday

Published May 13, 2025 07:25 am
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) will present its preliminary statement on its findings and conclusions on the electoral process of this year’s midterm elections on Wednesday, May 14.

An EU team observes the closing and counting at a polling precinct in Cotabato on Monday, May 12, 2025. (Photo from EU EOM)

This despite the Commission on Elections (Comelec) rescinding its decision to allow observers to access polling precincts on Election Day itself.

“Following Comelec’s recent letters and instructions, the EU EOM found that it was no longer granted the necessary guarantees for adequate access to polling precincts, which is an essential element of the EU’s observation methodology,” the EU EOM said in a statement on Monday night, May 12.

“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,” the statement added.

All EU observers were instead deployed after the closing of the precincts during the counting process at 7 p.m.

The Philippines initially invited the EU to observe the 2025 midterm elections using its “well-established and widely respected methodology.”

The EU EOM said that the methodology has been applied in over 75 countries.

“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 statement added.

The preliminary findings on May 14 “will outline initial findings and conclusions, and the extent to which the mission considers the election to have been conducted in line with Philippine laws, as well as with the international commitments to democratic elections the country has subscribed to.”

The comprehensive final report, on the other hand, will include “recommendations for the improvement of future elections.” It will be presented two months after.

The EU EOM had a total of 226 observers on Election Day.

Part of the mission are some 72 long-term observers, 104 short-term observers, and 20 accredited members of the diplomatic community from EU member states, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland.

Related Tags

European Union election observers Comelec senatorial elections
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