Comelec vows inclusive voter registration

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday assured members of minority groups that they would be included in the ongoing voter registration.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the registration process would not discriminate against groups with low registration or voter turnout.

These groups include women, indigenous people (IP), persons with disabilities (PWD), internally displaced persons (IDP), detainees and senior citizens.

“The encoding of demographics and taking of biometrics data are sensitive processes, especially among these groups,” Jimenez said in a statement.

He said Comelec field personnel have been trained to properly identify and respond to the situation to prevent disenfranchisement of these groups.

Jimenez said election officers are mandated to conduct satellite registration for IPs, IDPs, PWDs, detainees and senior citizens in every barangay.