Comelec to hold special voters’ registration for women, girls Mar. 8

The Commission on Elections’ satellite registration of voters at malls and in other designated public places. (PHOTO BY EDWIN BACASMAS / INQUIRER)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections will be holding a special satellite voter registration for women and girls in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country in celebration of the National Women’s Day.

In Comelec resolution 10175 promulgated on Monday, the poll body en banc directed the holding of special satellite registration activities for females in pre-determined venues.

The special satellite registration will be held on March 8, National Women’s Day, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Metro Manila and 22 other cities across the country.

“The Comelec joins… the observance of International Women’s Day by setting a special satellite registration for women and girls on March 8,” part of the six-page resolution read.

Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta for Women provides that March 8 of every year is declared as National Women’s Day.

Under the Comelec resolution, all 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila will hold a special satellite registration for potential female voters.

The other cities, which will conduct the special satellite registration are the cities of Cotabato, Baguio, Butuan, Dagupan, Santiago, Angeles, Olongapo, Lucena, Puerto Princesa, Naga, Bacolod; Iloilo, Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu Lapu, Tacloban, Ormoc, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Davao, and General Santos.

The Comelec said the local election officers would identify the venues for the special satellite voter registration for female voters.

The venue may be “in a public place, private commercial establishments, and schools that are more “accessible and convenient for the registrants.”

Those qualified to register are women 18 years old and above for regular elections, and girls 15 to 17 years old for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

They must be Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines for at least one year and living in the place they intend to vote for at least six months.

The special satellite registration for female voters may also allow  males to register “provided that women and girl applicants shall be given priority.”

An express lane for women who are persons with disability, senior citizens, pregnant women and indigenous peoples will be also established.

“(They) shall be afforded an express lane or be given preferential treatment to register as soon as they arrive,” the resolution said.

The Comelec resumed its voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls last November, which will last until April 29, 2017.  SFM