‘Minor Problems’ in Iloilo City Midterm Polls

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The conduct of the 2025 midterm elections in Iloilo City was generally peaceful, with only minor issues encountered, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Atty. Pinky Jevini Tentativa, chair of Iloilo City’s Board of Canvassers and an election officer of the Comelec, said among the problems experienced were paper jams in the automated counting machines (ACMs).

“It’s really on the voters. Sometimes they insert their ballots into the ACMs at a slant, which causes them to get jammed,” she said.

She also noted issues with regular voters insisting on casting their votes during the early voting hours designated for priority sectors.

“There are some commotions, but we explained to them that the time is exclusive only to the vulnerable sector,” she said.

She added that some individuals insisted on voting early due to work commitments later in the day.

The Comelec had implemented early voting hours from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.

The measure aimed to allow vulnerable sectors to vote ahead of the general population to avoid long queues and exposure to the midday heat.

Regular voting hours for all other voters were from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“Hopefully, future elections will adopt the same program for early voting hours,” she said, noting increased voter participation from the priority groups.

Regarding the mall voting program in the city, Comelec reported no major issues and deemed the program a success.

Four malls served as voting centers, accommodating clustered precincts from specific barangays: SM City Iloilo, Festive Walk Iloilo, Robinsons Place Jaro, and Robinsons Place Iloilo.

As for the removal of election paraphernalia, Tentativa said it is the responsibility of the candidates or their parties to take them down five days after election day.