Comelec to begin pilot test of voter ‘Register Anywhere’ system in Metro Manila

The traditional voter registration may soon change if the Commission on Elections “Register Anywhere” system will become successful in Metro Manila in a scheduled pilot testing. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said that it would begin its pilot testing of the “Register Anywhere” system in Metro Manila, allowing the public to register in places other than their residence.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco made the announcement in a statement after the Comelec en banc conducted its regular meeting.

“This ‘Register Anywhere’ system will provide our registrants the convenience of registering in a mall of their choice (during the pilot test, within the NCR) where an offsite or satellite registration is being held, even if said mall is located in a city or municipality other than their city or municipality of their residence,” said Laudiangco.

With the system, Comelec will install two sets of registration booths in satellite Comelec sites, one for applicants who are residents of the city or the municipality and the other for non-residents.

The names of the registrants will then continue to be posted in the Office of the Election Officer having jurisdiction of the city or municipality of their residence, and their barangays, in compliance with the public notice requirement.

“In the same manner, the Election Registration Board (ERB) having jurisdiction of the registrant/applicant’s residence shall still have the exclusive and original power to hear all such applications under the “Register Anywhere” system, including hearing oppositions thereto and the receive evidence for or against the registrant/applicant,” Laudiangco said.

Comelec previously said that voter registration would be reopened in November 2022, but only once the government finalizes the postponement of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) elections slated for Dec. 5, 2022.

RELATED STORIES:

Postponing barangay, SK polls: When ideas don’t make sense 

Postponing barangay, SK polls: When ideas don’t make sense