Comelec resumes voter registration today

MANILA, Philippines — Those aspiring to participate in next year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections may now register with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The registration process reopens today after the postponement of both polls, originally scheduled last October and moved by Congress to May 14, 2018.

“In view of the postponement… there is a need to resume the conduct of registration of voters – those who will reach 15 years old and regular voters for the barangay in connection with the May 14, 2018 synchronized elections,” the Comelec announced.

It is optimistic that more young people will register until Nov. 30.

Except in Lanao del Sur province, all city, district and municipal offices of the election officer (OEOs) in the country will accept applications for registration, reactivation, and change, correction of entries, inclusion or reinstatement of records in the list of voters.

Comelec said application forms are available at the OEOs free of charge and can also be obtained from the website www.comelec.gov.ph either by downloading the blank form to manually fill it out or by electronically filling out the appropriate form to have it printed. At least three copies of the form are needed for submission.

Applications may be filed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, including holidays.

Filipino citizens between 15 to 30 years old on or before May 14, 2018 and residing in the barangay for at least six months are qualified to register as SK voters.

Qualified as regular voters are Filipino citizens at least 18 years old on or before the joint elections, a resident of the Philippines for at least one year, and a resident for at least six months in the place where he or she proposes to vote.