Comelec-7 reports May 12 midterm polls post highest voter turnout

Central Visayas achieved its highest voter turnout as the May 2025 midterm elections concluded, with over 3.7 million voters participated or an 86.52 percent turnout rate.

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This turnout surpassed the previous marks set in the 2022 presidential elections and 2019 midterm polls, making the 2025 elections a historic moment for voter participation in the region.

Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) Director, Atty. Francisco Pobe, shared this achievement during the Regional Joint Security Control Center (RJSCC) exit conference held in Cebu City.

"This is the highest turnout we've had so far. Even better than in 2022 and 2019," said Pobe.

Comparatively, the region registered an 85.03 percent turnout in 2022, with over 4.4 million voters casting their ballots, and 79.75 percent in 2019, where nearly 4 million of the region’s 4.9 million registered voters took part.

Pobe attributed this upward trend in civic engagement to various initiatives, including information campaigns, early voting for priority sectors, and the implementation of mall voting in select precincts.

Despite a slight decline in the total number of registered voters in 2025 due to the exclusion of Siquijor and Negros Oriental, now part of the newly formed Negros Island Region (NIR), the turnout remained strong.

For instance in Cebu Province, nine municipalities reported voter turnout rates of 90 percent or higher. These municipalities are Asturias, Badian, Borbon, Catmon, Dalaguete, Moalboal, Tabogon, Tabuelan, and Samboan.