SM Supermalls will host mall-based voting for the Philippines’ National and Local Elections on May 12, 2025, as part of its partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), according to an announcement.
The Mall Voting Program (MVP) will be rolled out in 20 SM malls nationwide, including SM City Consolacion in Cebu, offering voters an alternative to traditional polling centers such as public schools.
Voting at the malls will begin at 5:00 a.m. for priority groups such as senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, while regular voting hours will run from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., according to COMELEC guidelines.
Only voters whose precincts were officially transferred to SM malls are eligible to vote at the mall venues. Voters may verify their precinct assignment through COMELEC’s Precinct Finder website, their voter information sheet, or via local announcements.
SM said the initiative aims to provide a more accessible and comfortable voting experience, especially for vulnerable groups. Malls will offer facilities such as elevators, ramps, and seating areas to accommodate voters.
“We believe democracy should be inclusive, convenient, and secure,” said Junias Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations at SM Supermalls.
COMELEC will deploy trained election personnel and ensure compliance with electoral protocols, while SM will provide mall space rent-free, the company said.
The initiative is part of SM’s broader Government Service Express program, which hosts various government services in malls, including ID renewals and permit processing.
The May 12 mall voting marks another step in COMELEC’s efforts to modernize the country’s electoral process and boost voter turnout through more accessible venues.
CebuLifestyleChannel.ph