(Eagle News)—Filipinos began to troop to polling precincts today, May 13, to cast their votes for their preferred candidates as the midterm elections are held.
Several national and local posts are up for grabs–24 senators, 243 district representatives, 59 partylist representatives, among others—during the polls, which started once polling precincts opened at 6 a.m.
The Commission on Elections has said voting hours will be longer this 2019 midterm elections, and will last until 6 p.m.
The National Capital Region Police has said around 16,000 policemen will be deployed to secure the polls in Metro Manila, with thousands more on standby in case of eventualities.
The Department of Education has said for its part that it was mobilizing 531,307 officials, teachers, and personnel.
It said 36,830 schools will be used as poll centers.
According to the Commission on Elections, more than 2.5 million Filipinos registered as new voters during the last registration period from July 2 to September 29.
Overseas voters were estimated at 1.9 million.
Earlier, the Comelec said it expects the number of total voters for the 2019 elections to reach 60 to 61 million.