DAVAO CITY: The Commission on Elections-Davao Region (Comelec-11) has announced that a total of 1,437 candidates have filed for various elective positions in the upcoming May 2025 midterm elections. This announcement was made on Tuesday during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum held in the city.

According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec-11 Assistant Director Gay Enumerables disclosed that the candidates include 39 individuals vying for seats in the House of Representatives, nine for governor, 10 for vice-governor, 111 for the Provincial Board, 123 for mayor, 110 for vice mayor, and 1,035 for members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan, which is the provincial or city council. Enumerables noted that no candidate has withdrawn their certificate of candidacy so far, although there have been reports of withdrawals in some municipalities.

Enumerables also highlighted the commendation received by the region for its organized and error-free submission of certificates of candidacy to the Comelec central offi
ce in Manila. Furthermore, she reported that from February 12 to September 30, Comelec-11 processed 411,879 voter registrations, which include transfers, reactivations, and corrections of entries. Additionally, a total of 1,078 satellite registrations were conducted during this period.

Comelec-11 Election Director Michael Abas assured the public that upgraded automated counting machines would be used in the elections. He emphasized that extensive demonstrations of the machines would be conducted across all barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces in Region 11 to educate the public on their proper use and the voting process. Abas expressed confidence in the machines’ functionality, stating that there would be no glitches during the elections. He highlighted that unlike previous elections, these machines would provide a printed copy of the vote for review before submission to the electoral boards.