Manila, May 15 -- Voter turnout in the May 12 elections was at 81.65 percent, the highest recorded in midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.

In a press briefing at the Tent City of the Manila Hotel, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia reported that 55,874,700 out of the 68,431,965 registered voters participated in the recently concluded elections.

"Total voter turnout 81.65 percent, highest in the midterm elections," Garcia said.

"We are happy because even though this is a midterm election, so many voters participated and cast their votes."

Voter turnout in the 2019 midterm elections was at 75.90 percent or 46,937,139 voters.

Citing "initial observations," Garcia said it was the youth who "really flocke...