Comelec suggests way for faster voter registration

FILE PHOTO by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA — Want your voter registration experience to be faster? Download the forms from the Commission on Elections website before heading out to your local Comelec office.

The Comelec encouraged voters signing up for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls to download the needed forms at home to save time on filling up the forms at local offices.

James Jimenez, the poll body’s spokesperson, said doing so would mean a faster processing of applications since the voter could accomplish the forms at home.

“Accomplishing the forms ahead of time will cut down on the queuing time for you and for everyone trying to get registered or re-activated,” he said.

The Comelec set the voters’ registration period for the barangay and SK elections from July 15 to 30, with Comelec offices open even on weekends and holidays to accommodate voters.

The forms can be downloaded at https://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=2016BSKE/VoterRegistration/ApplicationForms, where three types of forms are available.

These are the applications for new registration, for reactivation, and for application for change or correction of entries.

The forms should be printed on long bond paper, with the voter accomplishing the forms in their own handwriting.

Jimenez said it would be better if the voters accomplish the forms at home instead of hurriedly filling it up at the local Comelec officers.

“We encourage the public to take advantage of the downloadable voter registration forms that they can fill-up at home, before they head to their local Comelec offices to register,” he said.

Those qualified to register for the SK polls are Filipinos between 15 and 30 years old, and residents of their barangay for at least six months by October 31, the day of the elections.

Those qualified to register for the barangay polls are Filipinos at least 18 years old, a resident of the country for at least one year and a resident of the barangay for six months before October 31.

Voters are required to have their biometrics data such as photos, signatures, and fingerprints recorded. After filing the application form, the voter will be given an acknowledgment receipt.

Earlier, the Comelec expects six million voters to register for the barangay and SK polls.

The election period will begin on October 1 and end on November 7, during which a gun ban will be enforced. A liquor ban will be implemented on October 30 to 31.  SFM