Comelec cancels Sunday registration for Metro Manila voters

There will be no more voters’ registration on Sundays in the National Capital Region (NCR) and other highly urbanized cities beginning Sept. 1.

In its Resolution No. 9979, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that registration would only be from Mondays to Saturdays in all field offices in Metro Manila and highly urbanized cities.

“The Commission on Elections resolves to modify the registration workweek schedule of all field offices in the NCR and highly urbanized cities into Monday to Friday, with overtime services during Saturdays and holidays effective Sept. 1, 2015,” part of the resolution read.

It explained that the synchronization of the workweek registration in all its field offices was part of the poll body’s preparation for the May 9, 2016, national and local elections.

In February 2014, the Comelec, through Resolution No. 9853, adopted a Sunday to Thursday registration workweek schedule for all field offices in the conduct of registration, validation and updating of records in connection with the resumption of the system of continuing registration of voters from May 6 to Oct. 31.

But due to the low turnout of registrants during Sundays, the poll body issued Resolution No. 9889 in August 2014, modifying the registration workweek schedule from Sunday to Thursday to Monday to Friday, except in the NCR and highly urbanized cities.

Meanwhile, the Comelec continued to urge Filipino voters to register or comply with the biometric data requirements to avoid being disenfranchised.

Biometrics refers to the automated identification of an individual, which includes his picture, fingerprint and signature.