Comelec-7: CV 95% ready for May 12 polls

With only Cebu Province and Bohol left in their final preparations, the Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) announced that the region, as of May 5, 2025, is 95 percent ready for the midterm elections.

- Jonnavie Villa

Comelec-7 Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe confirmed that the last major activities before Election Day are the simultaneous final testing and sealing (FTS) of the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs), scheduled for May 6 and 7.

In Central Visayas, Cebu has at least 3.4 million registered voters across 4,120 clustered precincts, while Bohol has 981,564 registered voters and 1,542 clustered precincts.

"Ang atong gihuwat nalang jud ang final testing and sealing sa May 6 and 7 and the delivery of the ballots on May 11 sa gabii or 12 sa buntag," Pobe said.

Pobe explained that during the FTS, all electoral boards are expected to bring the ACMs to their respective precincts, where the testing and sealing will take place on-site and simultaneously.

In terms of law enforcement and safety, Pobe assured that security preparations have already been finalized.

"In terms of security, wala tay problema ana kompleto na," he said.

The final Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) meeting was held yesterday, marking the seventh regional session in preparation for the May 12 polls.

"In fact, sa among RJSCC gihimo nato ang final comprehensive regional security and deployment plan sa entire Region 7," he added.

As for election watchlist areas, no new locations have been added to the yellow category, which remains at 15 across the region.