First-time voters beat registration deadline

Even before 2007 could arrive, the air already smells of next year's elections as hundreds of first-time voters trooped to the Commission on Elections offices in the city in the hope of beating the December 31 voters' registration deadline.

Even Vice Mayor Michael Rama who holds office beside the building occupied by the Comelec was alarmed by the long lines of unregistered voters, which have extended to the main road. Rama is concerned that those along the road might instead meet accidents and even be victimized by pickpockets.

Yesterday, Rama said the city would seek permission from the Department of Public Works and Highways so that the portion of Juana Osmeña Street fronting the Comelec offices can be closed and utilized.

Once that portion is closed, the city will put up tents to shield the registrants from the heat of the sun and railings to facilitate more organized and defined lines going into the Comelec offices. Rama also directed councilor Gerardo Carillo to ask the Metropolitan Cebu Water District to provide water to those waiting in line. Packed lunch would also be reportedly prepared.

But Rama clarified that this "proactive action" has nothing to do with his anticipated candidacy next year, saying he has always been responsive to the needs of the Comelec, especially that the office cannot ask favors from government officials to avoid accusations of bias.

In an interview with reporters, election officer Marchel Sarno of the city's north district admitted that they may not be able to accommodate all registrants before the deadline sets in on Sunday. Unless the provincial Comelec will immediately act on their concern, they would only have one computer to use after one of the two computers that his office is using for registration bugged down.

Sarno said that both offices of the north and south districts only used one computer for registration until two computers arrived just last month.

Compared to the previous year, Sarno said there is a substantial increase in the average number of registrants that would want to meet the deadline this year. The other day alone, the north district reached 540 while the south district registrants reached about 600, way above the previous year's average of 200 daily registrants.

But even with the influx of registrants, Sarno said they cannot extend the time and the registration deadline, as doing so for both is prohibited by law. Registration is only between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until December 31.

But Sarno said the seemingly tight schedule should not be blamed if voters fail to register because the registration has been ongoing daily since last year.

The flurry at the Comelec was aggravated early yesterday afternoon after some young registrants complained they have been falling in line as early as morning, but others who came later than them were allegedly entertained first.

Even The FREEMAN photographer became subject of their ire and that of a Comelec personnel who refused to have their pictures taken.

And it seems the nearing deadline would not only affect regular residents but also prison inmates who were allowed to register only starting yesterday.

Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano, election officer of the south district, said the court has allowed 1,002 inmates of the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center to register for next year's elections. However, the Comelec can only accommodate 50 inmates per day. Should the deadline not be extended, only 200 inmates can be registered until December 31. - Joeberth M. Ocao/MEEV