Democracy in the Mall: SM Supermalls and COMELEC Revolutionize Voting This May 12

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The future of voting is here—and it’s air-conditioned.

As the countdown to the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections ticks closer, a groundbreaking shift in Philippine democracy is set to unfold. SM Supermalls, in a landmark collaboration with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), is transforming the very act of voting. Say goodbye to the days of sweat-soaked lines in sweltering school gyms. This year, democracy arrives with escalators, elevators, and even a food court just steps away.

Welcome to COMELEC Mall Voting, a game-changing initiative that brings the ballot to 20 SM malls nationwide. It's not just a pilot program—it’s a paradigm shift, designed with the Filipino voter’s comfort, convenience, and dignity in mind.

Voting Reimagined: A Comfortable, Accessible, and Secure Experience

Picture this: you step into the spacious, cool interiors of your neighborhood SM mall. Shoppers stroll by, the hum of commerce blending with civic duty. Security is tight. Directional signs are clear. Trained COMELEC staff await. This isn’t your average Sunday at the mall—it’s Election Day done right.

Through the Mall Voting Program (MVP), voters assigned to select SM Supermalls can now cast their votes in a space built for accessibility and ease. From busy parents and working professionals to senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), everyone benefits from a more dignified voting experience.

"We believe democracy should be inclusive, convenient, and secure,” emphasized Junias Eusebio, Vice President for Mall Operations at SM Supermalls. “By offering our malls as voting venues, we’re not just making it easier to vote—we’re helping empower every Filipino to make their voice heard.”

Who Gets to Vote in the Mall?

This opportunity is open only to those whose precincts were officially transferred to participating malls by COMELEC. Wondering if you’re one of them? You can verify through:

precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph

Your Voter Information Sheet (VIS)

Official posters in malls

Barangay caravans or your local COMELEC office

Voting Schedule at SM Malls:

5:00 AM – 7:00 AM — Special voting window for senior citizens, PWDs, and pregnant voters

7:00 AM – 7:00 PM — Regular voting hours

Yes, companions can assist—provided they are up to the 4th degree of consanguinity or an Electoral Board member. But remember, only those whose precincts were transferred to the mall can vote there.

Where Mall Voting Happens: 20 SM Malls Across the Philippines

From Luzon to Mindanao, the following SM malls are opening their doors to democracy:

SM City Manila

SM City North EDSA

SM City Fairview

SM City Sucat

SM City Bicutan

SM City BF Parañaque

SM City East Ortigas

SM City Southmall

SM City Cauayan

SM City Baliwag

SM City Tarlac

SM City Batangas

SM City Santa Rosa

SM City Puerto Princesa

SM City Legazpi

SM City Iloilo

SM City Consolacion

SM CDO Uptown

SM CDO Downtown

SM City Butuan

This sweeping coverage ensures that more Filipinos—across multiple regions—can experience the elevated ease of mall-based voting.

Democracy and Convenience Under One Roof

This isn’t SM Supermalls’ first foray into public service. Through their Government Service Express (GSE) program, select malls already host essential services such as ID applications, business permit renewals, and more.

The Mall Voting Program is a natural evolution—another way SM is redefining civic engagement and community care.

And here’s the kicker: SM offers these venues to COMELEC rent-free, shouldering the cost for the sake of national service. Meanwhile, COMELEC ensures the integrity of the process with fully trained personnel, security protocols, and logistics readiness.

Plan Now, Vote Smart

If you're among the lucky precincts transferred to an SM mall, expect an official advisory from COMELEC. Then, on May 12, bring a valid ID, head to your assigned mall, and cast your vote in comfort.

Confirm your precinct at precinctfinder.comelec.gov.ph

Stay updated via www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media

A New Chapter for Philippine Elections

This initiative isn’t just about logistics—it’s about equity. It’s about meeting voters where they are, making civic participation more inclusive, and creating an environment where casting a ballot is no longer a burden but a right exercised with ease and pride.

So, come May 12, step into your mall not just as a shopper, but as a citizen ready to shape the nation’s future—one vote at a time.

Democracy just found a new home. And it’s in a mall near you.

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