The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) expresses its disappointment and dismay over the signing by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of Republic Act No. 12326 on September 24, 2026 — a law that postpones the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from November 2, 2026 to the second Monday of November
15 September 2026. The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) releases its preliminary assessment of the first regular Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections, held on September 14, 2026, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). NAMFREL has been accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as a citizens' arm for the
Mandaluyong City — The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) released its Pre-Election Assessment of the September 14, 2026 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections, finding that while the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is technically and logistically prepared to administer the region's first regular parliamentary polls, five compounding
Opposing House Bill No. 10376: Hold the Line on the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) expresses its firm opposition to House Bill No. 10376, filed on August 1, 2026 and formally introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives on
A HOLLOW VICTORY: Why HB 8389 Falls Short of a Genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law A Step Forward - But Not Enough The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) acknowledges the historic passage of House Bill No. 8389, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, by the House of Representatives. For the first time
From mobilizing hundreds of thousands of citizens on the ground to deploying cutting-edge mobile apps, the evolution of election monitoring tells a powerful story of civic duty matching pace with modern technology. Ahead of the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-VII) in Manila, we talked to the National Citizens' Movement for Free
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) strongly and unequivocally opposes any move to postpone the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled for November 2026. Reports that the government intends to defer these elections — and realign the Commission on Elections' (COMELEC) preparation budget toward other government priorities — represent
https://youtu.be/VHtISTaJdFQ MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Philippines’ Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officially launched the seventh Asian Electoral Stakeholders Forum (AESF-VII), on Monday, March 23, 2026. “[AESF-VII] aims to bring together representatives to foster collaboration as well as cooperation among our ASEAN neighbors through sharing of
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in partnership with Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), are co-hosting the 7th Asian Electoral Stakeholder Forum (AESF-7) in Manila, Philippines from 21 to
Mandaluyong City - The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) launched today through a virtual media conference the NAMFREL Operation QR Count (2025) or OQC 2025, a way for Filipinos to participate in independently verifying the transmitted results of the 2025 National and Local Elections. In the NAMFREL OQC 2025, any
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) strongly condemns the alarming rise in election-related violence as the campaign period for the Philippine mid-term elections in May approaches. These violent incidents undermine the principles of democracy and threaten the integrity of the electoral process. NAMFREL calls on all candidates, political parties, and
The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) refers to theissues raised by CPA-lawyer, Jeryll Harold Respicio, a vice mayoral candidate inReina Mercedes, Isabela in two (2) Facebook posts which have now been takendown. THE ISSUES: 1) Atty. Respicio asserts that the Automated Counting Machine (ACM) isconnected to the internet during the
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay and it is finding applications in many areas including elections. While AI’s potential for improving electoral processes is recognized, what has been highlighted is the misuse and abuse of the technology as seen in recent elections worldwide. In Indonesia, the use of AI and deepfakes
NAMFREL Bantay ng Bayan UPDATE #2October 30, 2023, 7pm The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) released a second update on its observations on the conduct of the October 30, 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). NAMFREL has been accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as citizens' arm for
NAMFREL Bantay ng Bayan UPDATE #1October 30, 2023, 12:30pm The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) released its preliminary observations on the conduct of the October 30, 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). NAMFREL has been accredited by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as citizens' arm for the 2023 BSKE,
NAMFREL is issuing this statement firstly, to clarify its position on the issues raised and, secondly, to give its point of view on the very serious allegation of fraud attending the 2022 National and Local Elections. As Bantay ng Bayan torchbearers, NAMFREL provides a thoughtful and objective analysis of the allegations as
With the budget process for the 2025 Automated Election System (AES) scheduled to begin in July 2023 and procurement by 2024, the undersigned stakeholders call on the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to adopt for the 2025 Automated Election System (AES) the standards of transparency, cost-effectiveness, accessibility and inclusivity,reliability, security, safety, and fairness,
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) gathered over 90 represetatives of civil society organizations, the academe, political parties, electoral reform advocates and the media on 26 May 2023 to discuss how to enhance the automated election system (AES) for the 2025 national and local elections in the Philippines. The NAMFREL
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed the plebiscites in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur in the Philippines on 18 March 2023. The plebiscites were conducted to ratify the creation of Barangays Boronga II and Datu Dalidigan in Marawi City. NAMFREL said the polling process was peaceful and the counting
ANFREL members in the Philippines welcomed the passage of the Bangsamoro Electoral Code in the Philippines. The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) said they welcome the passage of the code and hoped that it would pave the way for the success of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
ANFREL member in the Philippines, the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), said the special election in Cavite on 25 February 2023 was peaceful and smooth but the voter turnout was low. In two updates released on Election Day, NAMFREL said that the electoral process was peaceful and smooth in the
ANFREL member in the Philippines, the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed a plebiscite on 17 December 2022 seeking the conversion of the municipality of Baliwag, Bulacan into a component city. NAMFREL said the process went smoothly and peacefully with no untoward incident observed. The closing and counting processes were
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) has submitted to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Parliament its position paper on BTA Bill No. 29 or “An Act Providing for the Bangsamoro Electoral Code of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao” or the Bangsamoro Electoral Code (BEC). The Code is intended
On the occasion of the 39th founding anniversary of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), allow me to greet everyone, our volunteers, supporters, partners, and friends a happy anniversary! NAMFREL remains true to its vision of strengthening democracy through helping ensure clean, honest and credible elections and to empower the
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed the 2022 Ormoc Plebiscite in the Philippines on 8 October 2022. The voters in Ormoc City, Leyte were asked whether or not they agree to renaming and merger of 28 villages into three. The Commission on Elections said 89.34 percent yes with 10.08
The National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) observed the conduct of the 17 September 2022 Maguindanao Plebiscite to divide the province into Maguindano del Norte and Maguindano del Sur. NAMFREL volunteers reported that the procedure was smooth and peaceful, in general. Security remained an issue in many parts of Maguindanao, however.
NAMFREL repeats its call for the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on 5 December 2022, as mandated under Republic Act No. 11462, and takes this opportunity to counter the arguments in favor of postponement as raised during the 16 August 2022 hearing of the House of Representatives Committee
In a report on its observation of the recently concluded resumption of voter registration, submitted to the COMELEC on August 10 and a copy of which was sent to the Senate and the House of Representatives, NAMFREL urges Congress to amend current laws or pass new laws to fundamentally change the country's
We, young NAMFREL members, urge Congress to allow the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to push through on December 5, 2022. In a democratic state such as the Philippines, the will of the people should always be heeded in the way they are governed. Based on Article II, Section 1 of
NAMFREL urges Congress to let the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) proceed, as scheduled under Republic Act No. (R.A.) 11462, on 5 December 2022. The Constitution allows the legislature to determine the term of elective barangay officials through legislation: “The term of office of elective local officials, except barangay officials, which
