Comelec sees more registrants as deadline nears

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees more applicants trooping to voter registration centers in the remaining days before the deadline in September.

“We expect to have more (registrants) as we approach the deadline for registration. That’s the way it has been. As the deadline approaches, more and more people will be going to our office to register,” said Frances Arabe, Comelec education and information department (EID) assistant director.

In a town hall forum Friday, Arabe reported that 893,448 individuals from the Visayas regions have applied to become registered voters as of July 24.

Based on Comelec records, Central Visayas has the higher number of applicants with 394,090; followed by Western Visayas with 290,894, and Eastern Visayas with 208,464.

“For the month of July only, we have 53,990 applicants. This will show you, more or less, the figures we get every month,” Arabe said.

Of the number, Central Visayas still posted the highest number of applicants with 25,830; followed by Eastern Visayas with 14,110, and Western Visayas with 14,050.

Arabe urged unregistered Filipinos who intend to participate in next year’s polls to register as early as possible toavoid the rush.