New voters urged to register during Christmas break

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday urged qualified voters to take advantage of the Christmas break to register for the 2016 elections.

In an interview, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said he hopes the public would take time to visit local Comelec offices to register or update their voter’s registration even though they are busy with the holidays.

“I think this Yuletide break is a good opportunity for us to register, especially those who are going to their hometown and do not have the intention of voting in Metro Manila,” he noted.

Around 9.6 million registered voters would not be able to vote in 2016, as the poll body has not yet taken their biometrics data, the Comelec said when it opened voters’ registration in May.

Around six million voters have yet to sign up for digital photograph, signatures and fingerprints since then.

Jimenez noted that the registration would end on Oct. 30, 2015, and during this time voters may also apply for transfer of registration and updates on their registration records.

“After this holiday, the next long break that we will have is summer but why wait for that when you can register now?” he said.