The Senbatsu General Election (also known as Senbatsu Sousenkyo) is an annual event where fans can vote for their favorite members. After the votes are submitted, the members who received the most votes are announced on the day of the election. These top members who have the most votes are grouped by the ranking that they attained. The groups called Senbatsu (#1 to #16), Under girls (#17 to #32), Next girls (#33 to 48).
The MNL48 1st General Election was held on It's Showtime studio on April 28, 2018. Fans can vote for their favorite member via the MNL48 App. Sheki was crowned as the first Center of MNL48. The 1st Generation has 48 members and 13 trainees. Three from the original 48 graduated (Trixie, Zen & Van) and were replaced by the members next in line.
The final results of MNL48’s 2nd General Election were announced naming the idol group’s official Second Year members, revealed new rankings, and crowned Aly as the new Center on April 27, 2019 at ABS-CBN Vertis Tent in Quezon City. Voting tickets were included on all their singles and selected merchandises, enabling fans to vote for their favorite member through buying merch.
12 girls (Ella, Gia, Jewel, Essel, Erica, Cassey, Madie, Necca, Nice, Princess, Hazel, and Sha) from the MNL48 1st Generation graduated, as they were not included in the Top 48 of the General Election. Six trainees were also excluded.