Cebu to have 3 million voters for 2019 midterm polls

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu, being one of the vote-rich provinces, may reach the three million mark of registered voters for the May 2019 midterm elections, according to a local officer of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

This includes those from the highly-urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu.

Provincial Election Officer Ferdinand Gujilde told reporters yesterday that voter population was at 2.8 million during the May 2018 polls.

He added that the figures will grow when those who registered for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections and are currently aged 17 years old will turn 18 on or before May 13.

Their names will automatically become part of the official list of voters.

The application statistics of Comelec showed that there were 203,051 who registered and updated their voter status this year.  Of this number, there are 86,605 who filed applications as new voters. The rest only updated their data.

During the registration for the May 2018 polls, there were only 50,144 total applications. Of this number, the 27,391 applied as new voters.

There are more applications this year than last year.

Gujilde cited that one of the factors that contributed to this outcome was that the voters have more interest in the polls now because it is 'almost clear' that the elections will push through, unlike in the barangay elections which was suspended a couple of times.

He added that the series of cancellations have contributed why the qualified Filipino citizens were not very aggressive and interested to register.

Another factor is that Cebu has a growing population, as the generation gets younger.

The third factor is that many voters have transferred to cities and towns under Cebu.

He also said the registration period last year was just from November 6 to 30 only, while this year’s registration period was from July 2 to September 29.

All the applications submitted to the Comelec on or before September 29 will be deliberated by their city or town’s Election Registration Board (ERB).

This body will evaluate if the applicant has complied with the necessary documentary requirements to become a registered voter. — GAN (FREEMAN)