Philippines: How elections are shaping up in nation of 110mn

The Philippines holds elections on May 9 to decide thousands of positions across the archipelago, including who will take over from Rodrigo Duterte and become president for the next six years

Who are the prez contenders?

Ferdinand Marcos Jr, 64, the son and namesake of the dictator overthrown in a 1986 “People Power” uprising, has been the clear leader in all opinion polls this year. Marcos's campaign message is unity and during recent interviews has been unabashed in praising his late father for his “genius” and leadership

His closest rival is Leni Robredo, 57, who beat Marcos in the 2016 vice-presidential election. Robredo is a former human rights lawyer and staunch liberal who as vice-president has led campaigns against poverty and gender inequality

Other candidates include Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, retired boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Panfilo Lacson, a former police chief, although they have consistently trailed in polls

ARE ELECTIONS CREDIBLE?

Although vote-buying, violence and occasional glitches with electronic voting machines have been problems in the Philippines, fraud on the level that would cast doubt on the credibility of polls or their outcome is very unlikely. Independent poll monitor the Asian Network for Free Elections concluded that each of the most recent Philippines elections were generally free and fair, with turnout at about 80%

WHEN WILL WINNERS BE KNOWN?

Counting starts after polls close and there can be a strong indication of who will be the new president within a few hours via a live, unofficial vote count. The election commission is aiming to announce most of the winners by May-end. The prez-elect will have seven weeks before being sworn in, during which time the transition team will work out policy plans