The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is embarking on a major initiative to bring election services directly to the public. The poll body is actively seeking partnerships with at least 100 shopping malls nationwide to serve as hubs for voter registration and other electoral activities.
Making Democracy More Accessible
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia announced this expansion strategy, emphasizing the goal of reaching a broader segment of the Filipino population. The program is designed for both new voters who need to register and existing voters who wish to update or transfer their registration records.
"Initiatives like voter registration are expanding, giving Filipinos the flexibility to register, update, or transfer records conveniently at a mall near them," Garcia stated in a recent interview. He highlighted that this move directly addresses the need for convenience and accessibility in the democratic process.
Building on a Successful Foundation
This ambitious plan builds upon the success of existing programs. Earlier this week, the Comelec formalized agreements with several of the country's largest mall operators to expand its Mall Voting and Register Anywhere Program (RAP).
The list of private sector partners now includes major players such as:
- Robinsons Malls
- SM Supermalls
- WalterMart
- Filinvest Malls
- Megaworld Lifestyle Malls
Chairperson Garcia expressed profound gratitude for their involvement, noting, "Their support in expanding access to the democratic process is an immense contribution whose true worth cannot truly be measured or quantified in terms of cost."
Aiming for 100 Malls by 2028
The Comelec's target of 100 mall venues is set for the upcoming 2028 national elections. "The well-known malls want to expand to their other branches in different places. Hopefully, they will reach 100 for the 2028 elections," Garcia added, outlining the timeline for this nationwide rollout.
This represents a significant scaling up from the pilot phase. During the May 2025 elections, the commission successfully utilized 53 malls across the Philippines for its mall voting project. The positive reception and operational success of that effort have paved the way for this more extensive network.
By moving essential election services into popular commercial and community centers, the Comelec aims to remove barriers to participation, encouraging higher voter engagement and ensuring that the electoral list is as current and accurate as possible for the next major political exercise.
