Many voters expressed surprise and satisfaction over the smooth and speedy voting process during Monday’s midterm elections, with some finishing in as little as 10 minutes.
In Meycauayan City, Gloria Crismundo shared that her entire voting experience lasted only from 10:25 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. — a stark contrast to past elections where long lines and over an hour of waiting were the norm. She credited the quick process to checking her precinct number in advance via the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) precinct finder.
“There was no line at all in my assigned room,” she said, noting that her room assignment remained the same as in previous elections, adding to her ease. She also appreciated that electoral board members distributed a small form where voters wrote basic details like name, precinct, and voter status (e.g., senior citizen, PWD). “This really helped them find our names quickly,” she added.
Crismundo also came prepared with a list of her chosen candidates, which helped her vote more efficiently. “My voter receipt also correctly reflected everyone I voted for,” she said.
In Cainta, Anna Jean Zabala echoed the positive experience. “Everything was well-organized at our precinct – from quickly finding my name, with my updated surname – to receiving and filling out the ballot,” she said. She also praised the early voting time allocated for senior citizens, pregnant women, and PWDs from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., saying it helped ease the flow of voters during regular hours.
This sentiment was shared by Bulakan, Bulacan voter Emerolf Felix, who assisted his senior parents. “The early voting significantly eased the process. It not only saved time but also reduced health risks for my parents by avoiding the usual large crowd,” he said. “It took us less than 30 minutes to find our precinct, get verified, fill out our ballots, submit them, and get inked.”
Bulacan, the third most vote-rich province in the country, has over 2.17 million registered voters. Meycauayan City alone has more than 134,000. Despite the large voter population, voters widely commended the improved organization and efficiency of the election process this year.