10-day voter registration starts on Monday

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Filipinos eligible to vote may register starting Monday for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October 28, the Commission on Elections said Saturday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez  said first-time voters, people who failed to vote in the last two elections and want to get reactivated, and those who want to transfer from one precinct to another, can do so during the 10-day registration period from July 22 to July 31.

“As much as possible, they should register early. We only have 10 days,” Jimenez said in an interview. “They can also register during the weekend (July 27-28). So, students and who have work need not worry because they can still register.”

Jimenez said no special registration sites will be set up,  so would-be voters need to go to local Comelec offices in their respective cities or  municipalities to register.

“There will be no satellite registration [sites] but they can register during the weekend. The Comelec offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” he said.

Jimenez said the Comelec expected at least 700,000 new voters aged 18 years old and above to register and up to two million SK voters—aged 15 and above but below 18—to sign up.

Jimenez said the voters who want to validate their registration using biometrics would have to wait after the registration period.

“Validation, which is basically enrolling biometrics would resume after this. But for now, since we only have 10 days, it would be better if we focus on the registration process,” Jimenez said.

“It would be difficult if we have people who have other purposes coming in and causing congestion. We will just have to prioritize our fellow citizens who have not registered,” he added.