Filipino voters reach 60 million with 2 million new registrants

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — More than 2 million additional voters have been registered so far by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), with two months left in the registration period.

This brought the total registered voters for the May 9, 2022, elections to 60,117,780, Comelec reported on Tuesday.

As of April 19, election registration boards have approved 1,226,412 voter applications and have automatically added to the voters list another 816,183 Sangguniang Kabataan voters who have just turned 18 years old.

These were added to the 58,231,612 registered voters as of Jan. 18.

Delisted

Comelec also said it delisted 2,704 deactivated voters, 67,981 voters who have died, 17,108 double registered voters and 2,562 double entries.

The poll body also reported that 66,069 voters have asked to transfer to another election precinct while three voters registered to cast their vote from overseas.

In the last 2019 elections, there were 61.8 million registered voters, said Comelec.

The voter registration period will end on Sept. 30.

New voters and previously delisted voters may apply in the nearest election office every Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

They may also apply in satellite voter registration sites every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before Election Day on May 9, 2022, and a resident in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place where the applicant intends to vote for at least six months on or before Election Day.

Aside from applications for new registrants, local Comelec offices are also accepting applications for transfer and reactivation of voter records, and the change of name or correction of entries on record.

They also accept requests to include a person’s record in the book of voters and the reinstatement of a person’s name on the voter’s list.

App only in pilot areas

In 575 select cities and municipalities, new voters can enlist through a mobile registration app that was launched in Tagum City in Davao del Norte on June 18.

But the Comelec said the app would no longer be available for online download and would only be available in pilot areas previously identified by the poll body.

Comelec said the app, which could be used to submit necessary personal information, remained accessible offline.

The app may be accessed by pressing “get started” to select the desired type of application, then tapping “proceed.”

After putting all necessary personal information, tap the “generate QR (quick response) code button,” and save the QR code to the phone gallery.

Registrants should show the QR code when they drop by their respective Comelec offices for their biometrics.

A tab may be clicked to find out which areas are part of the pilot implementation. INQ