Voter registration target reached – Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — With a few more days left before the end of the voter registration period, the target number of registrants for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in December has been reached.

“We have reached our target… In the May 9 elections, we were at least 65 million plus. We are expecting to be at 66 million. Right now, for the regular voters we have reached that mark, the 500,000 mark, and we are on track for the 23 million expected voters for SK elections,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) acting spokesman Rex Laudiangco said.

He said Comelec offices nationwide recorded 1,073,847 new registrants as of Monday.

Up to 547,389 of the registrants are aged 18 to 30 while 91,079 are 31 years old and above.

Laudiangco said the Comelec has processed 2,256,868 applications related to the barangay and SK polls.

The poll body urged the public to avoid the rush and visit local and satellite Comelec offices as the registration period will run only until July 23.

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said the poll body is expecting a “blockbuster” voter registration this week.

“Alam mo naman pag last day, blockbuster tayo lagi. If we compute, 500 on the average.  On the last day, about 700. That’s a lot. And if we count the malls that will participate, that would make a very high turnout for registration,” she said.

Ferolino led the signing of a memorandum of agreement yesterday between the Comelec and SM malls to bring voter registration closer to the people and accommodate more registrants.

She said the Comelec would accommodate as many registrants as possible, as long as they bring the proper documents.

On whether the voter registration can be extended, Ferolino said the commissioners “will see” if there is a need and if they have time to accommodate an extension.

“But as of now, we cannot announce an extension. Baka kasi maging kampante sila na sa last day na lang kasi mag-extend yan,” she told reporters.

Comelec executive director for operations Teofisto Elnas Jr. said the poll body is on track as far as preparations for the barangay and SK elections are concerned.

He said the Comelec cannot stop its preparations unless the law postponing the elections is passed.

“The procurement of supplies and ultimately, we will be starting printing of the ballots in due time... Sana kung mayroon man, sana maaga nilang mapasa para maaga din namin matigil ang preparations,” Elnas said.