Decentralization of poll registration in QC sought

Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. sought yesterday the decentralization of the on-going registration of voters in Quezon City to solve the problem of overcrowding at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices at City Hall.

He made the appeal upon receiving complaints about inconveniences and discomforts suffered by thousands of voters flocking for registration, validation or transfer due to overcrowding.

In a letter to Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Belmonte offered the air-conditioned Biglang Awa hall of the Novaliches District Center at Barangay Sta. Monica as temporary offices for the election Registrar of District 2 and the air-conditioned Multi-Purpose Hall at Amoranto Stadium on Scout Chuatoco in Barangay Paligsahan for the convenience of the registrants of District 4.

"With the temporary transfer of the offices of the Election Registrars of Districts 2 and 4, the Comelec offices at City Hall will not have enough space for voters from District 1 and 3," he said.

Belmonte assured Abalos that the city government will extend all possible assistance and cooperation to the Comelec to facilitate the on-going registration and to ensure that the election in 2004 will be orderly, peaceful and clean.

As of the elections in 2001, Quezon City had over 1 million registered voters. – Perseus Echeminada