Poll exec, lawyer answer FAQs about Comelec online registration, voter’s ID

FILE PHOTO: Teachers prepare the election paraphernalia they received from the Cebu City treasurer’s office and the classroom to be used as a voting precinct for the 2019 midterm elections. INQUIRER file photo / JUNJIE MENDOZA

MANILA, Philippines — Can the application process for voter registration be done fully online? Does the Commission on Election (Comelec) still offer voter’s ID upon registration?

To those queries, a Comelec official and election law expert answered in the negative, as they walk voters through the process as voter registration has resumed in Metro Manila and Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal during the general community quarantine.

Speaking during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum on Wednesday, Comelec commissioner Antonio Kho Jr. pointed out that the registration process, while parts of it could be done online, would still require physical presence.

“If you want to register, you can download the application form, sa [on] Comelec website, pwede mo din naman kunin sa election officer’s office, mas matagal yung proseso na yon [you can get the form at the election officer’s office, although that would take time],” he said.

After the online application, the registrant should be present at the registration site.

“You have to be present because you have to sign the election form before the election officer, and take pictures para sa [for the] biometrics,” he continued.

After the process, the registrants would be given an acknowledgment receipt, but it does not mean they become a registered voters after that, according to Kho.

The Comelec official added the Election Registration Board should still check if there are any irregularities in the application.

“Kung wala naman reklamo and you’re accepted, dun pumapasok sa database ng Comelec and you will be considered as registered voter doon sa particular na precinct,” Kho said.

(If there are no complaints and you’re accepted, then your application will enter the Comelec database and you’ll be considered as a registered voter in that particular precinct.)

For his part, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal reminded that Comelec is no longer offering a voter’s ID for registered voters.

“Wala na pong voter’s ID. Kasi tayo ay nagkakaroon na ng national ID system,” Macalintal explained.

(There will be no more voter’s ID, because we are having the national ID system.)

However, Kho clarified that the national ID is not a requirement for voting.

“I don’t think it would be material, the [national] ID, what’s important is that they [voters] are registered,” said Kho.

JPV