MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Juan Andres “Andy” Bautista on Monday evening announced that the poll body’s voter turnout for the May 9 polls reached a historic 81.62 percent.

Of the 54.4 million registered voters, about 40 million actually exercised their right of suffrage.

Bautista announced the figures amid positive feedback on the fast transmission of the voting results for over 90,000 precincts nationwide.

The Comelec chair said the transmission rate was relatively higher in 2016 compared to the previous elections.

At 10:50 p.m. Monday, the transmission rate for 2016 elections was already at 74 percent. In 2010 and 2013 of the same time, the electronic transmission was at 17 and 23 percent, respectively.

Bautista said the higher rate of electronic transmission this year can be attributed to their well-executed plans.

“Simple lang, as I said pinag-aralan namin yung 2010 at 2013. Saan ba malakas yung signal? Saan mahina yung signal? Nung 2016, gumawa din kami ng sariling site survey para malaman kung ano ba dapat,” said Bautista.

He also gave credit to the telecommunication companies which collaborated with the poll body.

“Malaki din ang tulong ng mga telcos dahil nakipagpulong tayo sa kanila. Tatlong bagay lang, please ensure privacy, priority and security,” he said.

Bautista stressed the need for swift election results since a delay may stir suspicion.

“If the transmission is not accurate and quick, then there may be allegations, that something is going on. So we have to release results as quickly as possible,” he said.

Video by Efigenio Toledo IV