Comelec hopes for 80-81% voter turnout for May 13 polls

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting a higher   voter turnount for the May 13 midterm elections.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said this Friday as the poll body taps ride-hailing service Grab for a voter education partnership campaign.

“It is midterm elections kaya ang turnout ay nasa 75 to 78 percent. But coming off an 81 percent turnout from 2016 presidential elections, (and) the anecdotal reports of people being engaged including (on) social media, we are cautiously optimistic of a higher turnout than expected,” Jimenez said.

“With our partner Grab, we hope to breach that expected number and come close to 80 to 81 percent,” he added.

READ: Grab offering discount to voters on election day

As part of its campaign to help Comelec address voter disenfranchisement, Grab will offer a discount to voters who will use GrabShare on election day to go to their polling precincts.

Select Grab drivers will also hand out non-partisan voter education materials to riders starting Friday.

On May 13, more than 61 million registered voters are expected to flock to their polling precincts to cast their vote for 12 senators and respective mayor, vice mayor, representative, and councilors, among other local elective positions.

Polling precincts will open as early as 6 a.m. and will close at 6 p.m.  /muf

READ: Comelec targets more than 16% overseas voter turnout

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