Manila: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially designated the dominant majority and minority parties for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) has been named as the dominant majority party, while the Nacionalista Party has been recognized as the dominant minority party, according to Resolution No. 11119 issued on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia detailed that these parties will receive hard copies of election returns and will have access to their own servers. This will enable them to conduct a swift vote count and verify the poll results independently. The resolution further elaborates that these parties are entitled to receive direct transmissions of election results to their servers from all functioning polling precincts, including overseas voting locations.
Additionally, the Comelec reported that a total of 11 political parties had applied for accreditation to be recognized as the dominant majority or minority. These parties were evaluated based on their historical influence, the number of incumbent elective officials, and the extent of their organized chapters across various cities, municipalities, and provinces.
Other political parties that received accreditation include Akbayan Citizens Action Party, Aksyon Demokratiko, Liberal Party of the Philippines, Nationalist People's Coalition, National Unity Party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, Partido Demokratikong Reporma, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and United Nationalist Alliance.
Meanwhile, 15 local parties have submitted petitions for accreditation as major local parties within their respective regions, provinces, or cities. These include Arangkada San Joseno Inc. for San Jose Del Monte, Asenso Manile±o Movement for Manila, Bileg Party for Ilocos Sur, and Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod for Davao City, among others. The list also features groups like Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran for the National Capital Region and Kusog Bikolandia for Region V, highlighting the varied regional representation in the political landscape.
