ASINGAN, Pangasinan—Senior citizen Fidel V. Ramos submitted his biometrics information to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, 36 days before the deadline for voters to complete the requirement to be able to join next year’s elections.
“I came here to update my biometrics in the Comelec as per policy and I think it is to be attributed to the efficiency of the Asingan Comelec office for sending me a warning,” said the 87-year-old former President.
Ramos said he had received three notices requiring him to submit his biometrics information before Oct. 31, the deadline. The first was issued in July last year, the second in January, and the final notice in July, according to poll records.
The biometrics data required from voters are their photographs, fingerprints and signatures, which would be collected and recorded digitally. The information helps poll officials authenticate the identity of a voter.
Under the Mandatory Biometrics Voter Registration Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10367), voters who fail to submit their biometrics information will not be allowed to vote in the 2016 elections.
“Biometrics is important for all of us because this is one of the characteristics of a modern nation. We must follow the law and government regulations, otherwise, we will be left behind in the global competitive contest,” Ramos said.
Leny Masaoy, municipal election officer, said Ramos’ registration left only 702 Asingan voters without biometrics.
As of August, 90,650 of the 1,655,063 voters in the province have yet to go through the registration, said Marino Salas, provincial election supervisor.
“That’s about 5.3 percent of our voting population. Hopefully, they will all be able to come before the deadline,” Salas said.
In Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental province, at least 5,000 voters have yet to have their biometrics taken, according to the Comelec.
City election officer Gildu
Agoncillo said that as of Sept. 11, 4,882, or 6.43 percent of the 75,702 registered voters in the capital, had not complied with the requirement.
Every Friday, the Comelec has conducted registration activities in a mall, as well as in the barangays at certain dates, as part of a campaign to convince voters to have their biometrics taken.
Agoncillo said the poll agency expected a slight increase in the number of registered voters in Dumaguete despite the possible disenfranchisement of those without biometrics. He attributed this to the youths who had turned
18 years old—the voting age—and those who had transferred residence.
Registration will be suspended on Oct. 12 to 16 to give way to the filing of certificates of candidacy by those seeking elective posts next year. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon, and Judy Flores-Partlow, Inquirer Visayas