1986 Philippine presidential election

Presidential elections, commonly referred to as the 1986 snap election, were held in the Philippines on February 7, 1986. Incumbent president Ferdinand Marcos, facing pressure from the public, media, and international allies, agreed to call an election in November 1985. He was challenged by Corazon Aquino, the widow of assassinated opposition leader Ninoy Aquino.

Marcos called for the snap elections in an attempt to reassert legitimacy for his regime, which had ruled the Philippines for two decades, including a period of martial law from 1972 to 1981. However, Marcos was terminally ill and faced a series of challenges to his rule, beginning in 1983 with the Ninoy Aquino assassination, a period of rapid economic decline and civic discontent, and widespread public reporting on corruption and Marcos's misrepresentation of his military record.

The election itself was marred by substantial irregularities, political repression, and voting fraud. After the certified government results found Marcos had won, Aquino and the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) challenged the legitimacy of the results through a campaign of mass demonstrations and civil disobedience, culminating in Marcos's deposition and exile. Aquino was inaugurated as the 11th president of the Philippines on February 25, and the Fifth Philippine Republic was established. Marcos later died in exile in Honolulu.