Map of Lanao del Sur. INQUIRER.net
ILIGAN CITY — Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to enforce stringent measures to spot minors and nonresidents who would register as voters.
As the poll body resumed registration on Monday ahead of barangay and SK elections next year, he said the influx of outsiders, who would come to Lanao del Sur “purposely to register,” had been a recurring challenge in the province in the past elections.
He also told the Comelec to be wary of those who transferred voting places.
“I urge the Comelec to continue being vigilant during the voters’ registration on December 12 to prevent nonresidents as well as minors from registering,” Adiong said in a statement. “This will help ensure that the elections next year will be fair and honest.”
Although the Constitution mandates the exercise of suffrage, those qualified are at least 18 years of age, a resident of the Philippines for one year, and the barangay where they were voting for at least six months before the elections, he pointed out.
Adiong recommended that Comelec prioritize registrants who just turned 18; require registrants to present certificates of live birth and affidavits declaring their qualified residency in the locality where they intend to register, and adhere to the solemn requirements of administering an oath.
He also urged the poll body to require registrants to execute an affidavit of two disinterested and prominent persons in the locality attesting that they were residents in the area where he intends to vote.
“We call upon the honorable commission to observe stringent measures and take concrete actions against illegal registrants,” he said, adding that the Comelec had the authority to enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to voters registration.
He also cautioned election officers on transfer registrants and their qualifications.
Adiong made the call as the Comelec resumed its voters registration on Dec. 12, after the barangay elections had been moved to another year.
“It has been a recurring challenge in our province,” he said, referring to the flying voters. “More importantly, numerous conflicts in our localities were sparked by (minors and nonresidents) registering in the area.” He did not cite a particular incident, however.
Comelec said all its field offices would accept applications from new voters, delisted voters who wanted to reactivate their names in the voting list, and existing voters who want to transfer their voting place or to correct records. The registration will run until Jan. 31.
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