Poll body sees 800,000 new voters

After concluding its voters’ registration for the 2018 barangay and youth polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is optimistic that it will meet its target of processing some 800,000 new voters.

The voters’ registration for the May 2018 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections closed on Thursday, after a 22-day run, beginning on Nov. 6.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body was on its way to hitting its target of 500,000 new regular voters and 350,000 new youth voters.

“I think we’re on track to meet those expectations,” said Jimenez.

Long queues

Data showed that Comelec received 496,816 voter applications from Nov. 6 to 25.

Jimenez said queues at local election offices and off-site registration centers were longer as the deadline approached.

There would be no extension of the registration period, he said.

Voter applications, said Jimenez, would be approved by election registration boards in two weeks.

Rejected applicants would receive notices of disapproval. Approved applications would be posted in election offices.

Rejected applicants may file petitions for inclusion, while others contesting approval of applications may file petitions for exclusion, said Jimenez.