Comelec raises voter registration target to 2 million

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now targeting two million new registrants in the ongoing voter registration.

Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said yesterday the poll body would recalibrate its target after reaching 1.7 million registrants during the first two weeks.

The Comelec-Election and Barangay Affairs Department said there were 1,913,386 new registrants as of yesterday.

“Given the latest high turnout of applicants, we believe that by July 23, we will be able to reach our secondary, recalibrated total new registrants of 2,067,351 for both barangay and SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) elections,” Laudiangco said.

He said the new figure would be utilized for planning and pre-election activities.

Based on the estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority, 73,538,694 of the 112,892,781 expected population in the country by next year will be of voting age.

“We thank the Filipino people, especially the youth, for their continuing fervor for our nation’s democratic processes and keen interest in the elections. We hope that we pursue patriotism in the exercise of our right to suffrage and continue our trust in governmental institutions,” Laudiangco said.

The Comelec has projected that 66,053,357 voters will participate in the barangay elections.

Registrants aged 15 to 30 or those who will participate in the SK elections are expected to hit 23,059,227.

Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino has said a “blockbuster” voter registration can be expected this week.

The Comelec will bring voter registration to the shopping malls as more people are seen to register as the July 23 deadline draws near. The voter registration started on July 4.

The barangay and SK elections are set on Dec. 5.