Manila: The long voting queues that formed early in the morning on May 12 are being viewed as a “positive” sign that Filipinos were eager to participate in this year’s national and local elections, as stated by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV).

According to Philippines News Agency, PPCRV spokesperson Ana Singson highlighted in an interview on Monday afternoon that the group observed voters queuing up until 8 a.m., which marked a shift from previous election patterns. Singson noted that in past years, it was uncommon to see long lines in the morning, with queues typically forming between 2 to 4 p.m. She expressed encouragement over the early turnout, indicating an eagerness among Filipinos to cast their votes.

Singson also praised the Commission on Elections for its efforts to ensure transparency during the election process. She mentioned the direct transmission of data from automated counting machines to their servers as a significant step towards transparent elections. Singson added that initial partial and unofficial election results are expected to begin coming in by 7:30 p.m. on May 12.

The spokesperson anticipates that the election process could be faster this year, thanks to advancements in 5G network technology and the deployment of Starlink satellite transmission devices, which are expected to expedite result transmissions in areas that were previously slower.