The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) in its preliminary observations released afternoon of Monday said the conduct of the 2025 National and Local Elections has been smooth and peaceful.
The group said the assessment covers the opening procedures as well as the first few hours of voting, including arrangements inside the voting centers observed and monitored by their volunteers in polling centers all over the country.
"In general, the conduct of the elections has been smooth and peaceful so far, with most polling places opening on time, no significant delay in the start of voting, with the electoral boards as well as the machines and election paraphernalia complete in most polling places observed," NAMFREL said.
It added that Monday morning's activities were characterized by a high turnout of voters especially in urban areas, with voters lining up outside voting centers even before the polls opened for early voting at 5am.
The citizen's movement said Comelec Electoral Boards (EBs) appear well-prepared in general, citing their adequate handling of the process inside the polling places.
Observers also reported that early voting started on time at 5am.
"As of 11:30am, Namfrel observers reported high voter turnout in more than 83% of voting centers. Like in previous elections, it was also observed that a big part of the voters' time spent inside the voting center was trying to determine whether they are on the voter list, trying to find their precinct number, and trying to locate their polling place: information that voters could have already obtained, or have been provided to them, prior to election day. Despite the high demand for voter assistance, observers cited the importance and usefulness of Voter Assistance Desks and onsite volunteers in facilitating the conduct of the voting process. Observers noted the presence of VADs in more than 93% of voting centers observed so far," NAMFREL said.
The group also said that it is verifying with its chapters if some incidents are election-related.
These will be included in forthcoming bulletins once verified, according to NAMFREL.
The organization said it will continue to gather observations when voting ends at 7pm, to be followed with the counting and canvassing of votes.