ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has debunked as fake news the viral claim that voters will be barred from casting their votes on May 12 unless they present a National ID, calling the misinformation a deliberate attempt to sow doubt in the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Comelec Region 6 reiterated the national office’s clarification, warning the public not to fall for false advisories that did not originate from the poll body.
The agency emphasized that the “No National ID, No Vote” advisory is fabricated and was never posted on any of Comelec’s official or verified social media platforms.
“In the upcoming May 12, 2025 elections, be smart and discerning — know the facts and avoid fake news,” the regional office said in a public advisory.
In Western Visayas, the total number of voters is 3,128,562, broken down as follows:
* Aklan – 414,890
* Antique – 399,553
* Capiz – 539,553
* Guimaras – 124,930
* Iloilo – 1,649,730
The region also includes 3,389 barangays, 20,077 established precincts, and 2,854 voting centers.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said there is no requirement for any ID, including the National ID, to vote — unless a voter’s identity cannot be confirmed through the Election Day Computerized Voters’ List (EDCVL).
“There’s no truth to the claim that you need a National ID to vote. This misinformation is clearly meant to undermine the credibility of our elections. It’s a tactic to create doubt and confusion,” Garcia stressed.
Garcia clarified that voters listed in the precinct EDCVL, those who received a Voter’s Information Sheet, or those who verified their status through the official Comelec Precinct Finder can vote without presenting any government-issued ID.
However, he advised bringing an ID as a precaution.
“It’s better to carry one, in case your identity is challenged by a poll watcher. But generally speaking, an ID is not required,” said Garcia.
Each registered voter has been issued an official information sheet containing their voting details, list of national and local candidates, and guidelines for the casting of ballots.
As of latest data, there are 69.6 million registered voters nationwide for the May 2025 polls, with 68.4 million voting locally and 1.2 million overseas./PN
