Comelec extends suspension of voters registration due to COVID-19 threat

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday announced that voters registration will be suspended until June 30 after the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was extended in some areas due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat.

In an advisory, Comelec Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz Jr. said that the suspension takes effect on May 1.

Sinocruz added that the period from May 1 to June 30 will give the Comelec time to “ put in place anti-COVID-19 measures in relation to the conduct of the registration of voters once it resumes.

Press Release: Voter Registration Suspended Anew @jabjimenez @dirfrancesarabe pic.twitter.com/TLKh6DBmGN

— COMELEC (@COMELEC) April 25, 2020

According to Sinocruz, the conduct of voters registration is “not yet advisable” since there are limitations on the movement of people and certain activities.

“The suspension is in effect nationwide, encompassing voter registration and the issuance of Voter’s Certifications, in all Comelec offices and satellite registration sites,” the advisory read.

Comelec, meanwhile, said issuance of voter’s certification remains suspended until April 30, or until such time that the strict quarantine is lifted.

This is the third time that the Comelec has suspended the registration of voters due to the COVID-19 threat. On March 9, the commission also ordered the suspension of voters registration until March 31.

The Comelec, on March 27, then resolved to extend the suspension until April 30.

The Philippines currently has 7,192 COVID-19 cases as of Friday, of which 762 have managed to recover while 477 have died.

/MUF