Voters’ IDs clog Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec)  will distribute millions of unclaimed voters’ ID cards during the satellite registration activities for the 2017 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang elections.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 10166 promulgated last Oct. 25, the poll body ordered all election officers to give out the unclaimed voters’ ID cards still in the safekeeping of local Comelec offices in cities and towns.

There are still around six million unclaimed voters’ ID cards in local Comelec offices.

In the resolution, the poll body en banc urged election officers to take advantage of the satellite registration activities to distribute the unclaimed voters’ ID cards.

“The EOs shall distribute and release the voters’ ID cards in their custody to the concerned voters during the conduct of satellite registration,” said the resolution.

Claiming of cards

Under existing rules, voter ID cards may only be claimed personally or through an authorized representative at local Comelec offices during regular office hours.

It may be recalled that the poll body ordered the conduct of at least two satellite registration activities by local Comelec offices when the voters’ registration resumes on Nov. 7.

Satellite registration may be held in barangay halls, public or private schools, commercial establishments, detention centers, indigenous people communities and other public places.

The poll body issues the voters’ ID card to all registered voters whose biometrics data—photograph, fingerprints and signature— have been captured digitally.

The ID is recognized by all government offices and banks as a valid ID, but it is not a requirement in exercising the right to vote.

The Comelec is scheduled to begin the registration of voters for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang elections on Nov.  7.

This will run until Dec.  30, 2017, with the registration resuming on Jan. 2, 2017 until Apr. 29, 2017.