Public can still undergo biometric registration in Comelec offices

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday reminded the public that they could still go to their local poll offices to register as new voters and to undergo biometrics registration.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the local election offices remain open despite the satellite registration being conducted in a number of malls in the country.

“Don’t wait for #MallRehistro just to register and validate, ok guys? Comelec offices are open everyday to serve you,” he posted in his Twitter account @jabjimenez.

Local Comelec offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sunday to Friday.

Jimenez added that satellite registration in malls is also done on weekends to allow workers to sign up for the 2016 presidential polls. About 21,000 voters have availed of off-site registration.

The Comelec expects up to 56 million voters next year, three million of whom are new. As of February, 4.3 million registered voters were at risk of being disenfranchised for not having their biometrics data taken.

The multi-sector Samahan para sa Tunay na Eleksyon sa Pilipinas (STEP) Coalition also reiterated its call for voters to avoid the rush on Oct. 31, the deadline for voter’s registration.

“This is the final countdown as only 100 days are left for voters to register or to validate their biometrics,” said Rona Ann Caritos, executive director of Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), a coalition convenor.

The members of the coalition are helping in the Comelec’s voter’s education campaign by disseminating information material and posting streamers in their respective offices and on the road.

Takahiro Kenjie Aman, LENTE director for legal and policy affairs, said the group will hold contests, like the “most creative selfie,” to spice up the registration or validation process.

“We have the notion that the process of registration is very boring or tedious. With this contest, we want this notion to change and make the process fun and worthwhile for registrants,” he added.