CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Northern Mindanao recorded its highest voter turnout in two decades during Monday’s midterm elections, with 82% of registered voters – more than 2.6 million people – casting their ballots across the region, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported Wednesday.
Comelec-10 Director Renato Magbutay called the participation rate unprecedented since 2005, noting the elections proceeded peacefully despite minor disturbances in five areas of Lanao del Norte.
“This demonstrates our voters’ strong commitment to democracy,” Magbutay said during a media briefing at the Comelec-10 office here.
While the region celebrated record numbers, NAMFREL observers reported a slight decline in Misamis Oriental’s turnout to 85.88% (950,046 voters) from 86.8% in 2022. Cagayan de Oro City maintained stable participation at 72%, with over 414,000 registered voters.
All regional candidates have been officially proclaimed as winners following the successful elections.
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION. Voters queue patiently at a polling precinct in Barangay Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City during the May 12, 2025 elections. The city maintained a steady 72% voter turnout while Northern Mindanao overall achieved an 82% participation rate – the region’s highest in 20 years. (PNA photo by Trisha Saracanlao)
