Voter turnout in the May 12 elections was at 81.65 percent, the highest recorded in midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.

In a press briefing at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia reported that 55,874,700 out of the 68,431,965 registered voters participated in the recently concluded elections.

“Total voter turnout 81.65 percent, highest in the midterm elections,” Garcia said.

“We are happy because even though this is a midterm election, so many voters participated and cast their votes.”

Voter turnout in the 2019 midterm elections was at 75.90 percent or 46,937,139 voters.

Citing “initial observations,” Garcia said it was the youth who “really flocked to vote in the 2025 elections.”

“Across ages it’s high. But I believe the votes of the youth really matter. They are in such large numbers,” he said.

Garcia said based on Comelec data, over 3 million members of the vulnerable sector, mostly senior citizens, went to the voting centers early on election day and took advantage of the early voting hours, which was from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.

“Even the elderly flocked too, especially in the first [hours]… our early voting was more than 3 million in just two hours,” the Comelec chief said.

Asked if the new elections machines played a role in the good voter turnout, Garcia said, “Regardless, if old or new machine, it doesn’t really matter.” (PNA)