No extension for voter listing, says Comelec

There will be no extension of the Oct. 31 deadline for voter registration, even in the areas devastated by Typhoon “Lando,” the Commission on Elections (Comelec) told lawmakers on Wednesday.

The poll body could not accommodate petitions made on behalf of the Lando typhoon victims to move the deadline as doing so would upset the schedule for the 2016 elections, according to Comelec commissioner Arthur Lim.

“Unfortunately, extending the registration will adversely affect the timeline of activities, which are important, if not more important, like the printing and preparation of ballots and other related activities,” Lim told the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms.

Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, the committee chair, said he supported the Comelec decision, as the people who missed the deadline had only themselves to blame for their complacency.

“Everybody should realize that voting is a sacred duty, and that complacency has no place to be entertained,” he said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, however, asked the Comelec to reconsider.