The Commission on Elections reported on Monday that they are expecting a 75 percent voter turnout for the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

According to Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia, there is no reason for registered voters not to vote as the government declared a long weekend.

"We are expecting a 70 to 75 percent voters' turnout because, in 2015 and 2018, the voters' turnout ranged from 70 to 71 percent. Now, there is no reason why voters can't vote because of the long weekend declared by the government. Other voters, who went home to their provinces for vacation, can definitely be able to vote because there are family reunions, and therefore, we expect that the number of voters will increase this year," Garcia said in an ambush interview in Indang Cavite.

Garcia hopes to extend the voting time from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to cater to more voters.

"I hope that we can adjust the law in the upcoming elections. Instead of voting only until 3:00 in the afternoon, it should be done at least until 5:00 p.m. to serve more voters," he said.

The chairman added that it is expected that the line for voting will be quite long and asked voters to be more patient.

"We expect the line to be quite long. As you know, voters will vote for two or more candidates. It will be really long. I ask our voters to be patient and don't be too hot-headed. All of you will be served," Garcia said.