EDITORIAL - A right and responsibility

Based on a recent survey, 76 percent of 46.6 million voters or about 9.7 million Filipinos have not yet had their biometrics taken by the Commission on Elections. Yesterday Comelec officials clarified that the actual number is a little over 3.13 million.

The figure is much smaller than what is reflected in the survey, but 3.13 million is still a lot of voters who may be disenfranchised in the 2016 general elections unless they undergo biometric registration. The number is more than enough to provide the swing votes in national races.

The survey results may reflect the number of people who think they still need to have their biometrics taken. Many voters underwent biometrics registration during the Arroyo administration but never received the voter’s identification cards that were supposed to be distributed afterwards.

Those who want to find out if they need to have their biometrics taken can go to a Comelec office, present a valid government ID and verify the status of the previous biometrics registration. In many cases, the previous registration is still valid and all that the voter must do is wait for the ID card. Even in the absence of an ID card, however, those who have had their biometrics taken can still vote in 2016.

All it will take is to verify one’s voting status with the Comelec. Biometrics registration takes less than an hour, during which the voter can also confirm his or her voting precinct.

Filipinos have often been disappointed by the quality of people seeking public office. But voting is both a right and a civic responsibility. One person, one vote is the manifestation of people power in a functioning democracy. There are elective officials who have managed to make a difference, and the nation should have more of these leaders. Exercising the right of suffrage starts with proper registration. The deadline for biometrics registration is the end of October; those 3.13 million still have time to avoid being disenfranchised.