On election day, the EU EOM partially observed the elections, as it did not have full access to polling precincts

Over the past 25 years, EU Election Observation Missions (EU EOMs) have developed a well-established and widely respected methodology. This methodology has been consistently applied during observation in over 75 countries. The EU observes elections in the same manner in all countries where it is invited, guided by principles of objectivity, independence, non-interference and a comprehensive, long-term approach covering all phases of the electoral process, including voting proceedings. The Philippines invited the EU to observe the 2025 National Midterm Elections. Accepting the invitation, the EU deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM). As part of the EU methodology, prior to deployment, on 12 March, the EU and the Philippine authorities signed a mutual commitment granting to the EU EOM freedom of access, at any time, to all polling precincts and the canvassing centres and also ensuring that all mission members shall abide by the COMELEC’s International Election Observer Accreditation Guidelines and the EU EOM code of conduct. Following COMELEC’s recent letters and instructions, the EU EOM found that it was no longer granted the necessary guarantees for adequate access to polling precincts, which is an essential element of the EU’s observation methodology. As a result, the EU EOM could not ensure meaningful observation of the voting phase in polling precincts.  Consequently, the Mission did not deploy the whole team of observers as originally planned. However, all EU...