Lakas-CMD named 'dominant majority party' for midterm polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday released a resolution identifying the dominant majority and dominant minority parties for the upcoming midterm elections.

Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) was designated as the dominant majority party, while the Nacionalista Party was named the dominant minority party.

Nine other major political parties qualified for accreditation: Akbayan Citizens Action Party, Aksyon Demokratiko, Liberal Party of the Philippines, Nationalist People's Coalition, National Unity Party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Partido Demokratikong Reporma, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and the United Nationalist Alliance.

The ranking of these parties was based on factors such as their historical significance, the number of years they have been active since the implementation of the 1987 Constitution, and their representation in elected positions, including president, vice president, senators, members of the House of Representatives, governors, vice governors, mayors, vice mayors, provincial board members, and city or municipal councilors.

Under the resolution, the dominant majority party, the dominant minority party, and six other major political parties will each be entitled to one official poll watcher per election precinct and canvassing center.

"We always have a dominant majority party and a dominant minority party every election. They will be prioritized in deploying poll watchers," Comelec Chairperson George Garcia explained.

"Other parties may still deploy poll watchers, but not all will be accommodated. The dominant majority and dominant minority parties will be prioritized," Garcia added.

Additionally, the dominant majority and dominant minority parties will receive hard copies of election returns and have access to their own servers, ensuring transparency in the electoral process.